This month we’re picking three of the latest kitchen tech launches to inspire your kitchen projects for the coming months….

Neff collaborates with Freedom by Symphony to create a smart and accessible kitchen

Two of the kitchen industry’s biggest names, Freedom by Symphony and Neff, have recently joined forces to promote a smart accessible kitchen featuring app-based controls, smart speakers and touch-free operation.

Freedom by Symphony is an innovative collection of stylish and practical kitchens designed to support independent living for people with disabilities as well as multi-generational households.

Leading appliance manufacturer Neff has long been the brand of choice for an accessible kitchen with its standout Slide&Hide® ovens.

Neff is embracing and supporting the accessibility market by collaborating with Freedom by Symphony to create a showcase kitchen in its Customer Care Hub in Corby, Northamptonshire. The ground floor 700sq ft showroom includes a fully accessible kitchen with the latest range of accessible FlexDesign features available within Neff’s Collection appliance range, installed within a sleek and modern Freedom kitchen design.

Symphony collaborator and expert accessible kitchen designer Adam Thomas using Neff ovens

Neff’s Home Connect feature is the ultimate in fully accessible appliance design, as the oven can be operated using its Home Connect app as well as a smart speaker with voice control. Ovens also come with Flex Control, allowing the appliance to automatically adapt to its user. Cooks can simply swipe and tap the display or guide a Twist Pad Flex® touch control into place, ideal for those with limited dexterity or hand strength. The N50 oven collection also features traditional dials for those who have difficulty using touchscreens.

Another innovative and brand-new feature is the Door Open Assist function on its refrigeration and dishwashers, which allows the doors to open via the Home Connect app or smart speaker. As well as being ultra-convenient when busy hands are full, this hands-free feature also helps those with mobility issues, assisting with independent living.

The majority of NEFF’s range now features Home Connect smart technology, which is extremely useful in accessible kitchen design. It allows users to control appliances using their voice via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant as well as via the Neff Home Connect app on a smartphone or tablet. This means that tasks that were once challenging or impossible to perform can now be accomplished more easily.

A Wi-Fi enabled hob and hood for instance, can communicate with each other so that the hood switches on automatically when the connected hob is activated. This allows wheelchair users and those with limited mobility to use a wall-mounted hood without the need to reach up to turn the appliance on and off.

Freedom by Symphony kitchen in Turin Charcoal and Virginia Riviera

“The showcase kitchen celebrates the built-in smart flexibility of the Freedom kitchen,” says Adam Thomas, “with its electric rise and fall worktops, accessible-height oven housings with pull-out heat resistant shelf, iMove pull-down baskets and extendable pull-out table with Neff’s easy-access Slide&Hide® oven and Home Connect smart technology.”

Freedom collaborator Adam Thomas with Robert Newton, Symphony Head of Marketing

Franke unveils K LINK technology for culinary convenience

Franke’s innovative new K LINK technology enhances the cooking experience through simple gesture controls. Available on Mythos and Maris induction hobs and hoods, users can simply wave their hand to adjust the hoods suction power to match the cooking level on the hob, ensuring optimal airflow without any manual fuss.

This cutting-edge technology is designed to reduce energy use and noise, keeping the hood’s performance just right. After you finish cooking, the hood continues to operate briefly, clearing out any lingering steam and odours for a cleaner kitchen environment.

K LINK technology is available across five cooker hoods – Mythos Vertical Pro, Maris Vertical Pro, Mythos Ceiling, Maris Ceiling, and Maris Drip Free, catering to various kitchen styles and needs. The hoods can be paired with the 65cm wide Mythos and Maris induction hobs. The Maris Induction Hob features four cooking zones while the Mythos model offers five, including a central cooking space. Both have flexi zones for larger pots and pans and a boost function for extra power when required.

Miele opens new Experience Centre in London’s Mayfair

I was lucky enough to visit the brand-new Miele Experience Centre at Unit 2b, 1 Berkeley Street, London W1J 8DJ a few weeks ago and was so impressed. There were plenty of interactive appliances to see and try out, including the HydroClean oven, Air Fry oven with AI tech that does all the thinking for you and Knock2open doors on dishwashers and fridge freezers that are voice activated, too.

This state-of-the-art facility marks a significant milestone, as Miele celebrates its 125th anniversary and continues its ambitious growth plans across the UK. This is the seventh Experience Centre in the UK after Abingdon, Brent Cross, Oxford Circus, Edinburgh, Bluewater and Solihull.

Miele Experience Centres are designed to support all customers and provide an immersive and hands-on experience with Miele’s innovative products.

Visitors can explore a wide range of appliances in a setting that emphasises Miele’s commitment to quality, performance and timeless design. The centre features interactive displays and live cooking demonstrations, allowing customers to witness first-hand the exceptional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology that have made Miele a global leader.

In addition to showcasing Miele’s latest products, the new Experience Centre will serve as a versatile events space, ideal for collaborations with customers and complementary brands. This dynamic venue will host cooking classes, product launches and exclusive events, creating a hub of culinary inspiration and innovation.