Refrigerated MMS

The domestic goods manufacturer, Electrolux says that it is currently developing an appliance that allows consumers to monitor refrigerator contents with digital images. Able to take pictures inside a fridge through a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) capable device, the Food Manager System will provide mobile phone users with an instant inventory of what food they have through a digital snapshot taken of the interior. The appliance currently only exists as a concept model but is expected to be used commercially in the future.

When grocery shopping, many people have trouble remembering exactly what they have in the fridge and often re-purchase items they already have in stock. As good preservation of food is a must, it is important not to overstock the fridge with perishable items that can go to waste. The Electrolux Food Manager System will allow consumers to quickly and easily access their food inventory while shopping at the supermarket or at the neighborhood butcher.

Unlike more complex operations and data entries required with other fridge monitoring devices, the Food Manager System from Electrolux will be able to take instant pictures inside a fridge with a small camera. Users will be able to access and download these images by "logging-in" to their fridge through a mobile phone with a GPRS connection.

"The Food Management System concept is a key indicator that near-future technologies do not always have to be complicated", states Claudio Cenedese, Manager Primary Electronics, Core Technologies and Innovation at Electrolux. "Research at Electrolux into consumer needs has shown that simplicity and ease of use are key drivers when it comes to peoples' wants and needs and we continue to take steps to ensure we meet these head-on."

Posted to the site on 31st July 2003