Panasonic Corp (PSE: PMPC) presented on Saturday at the International Home & Housewares Show in Chicago, the world’s first Countertop Induction Oven that offers double infrared heating technology alongside a proprietary induction system to heat and cook food in just a few minutes.
The new “revolutionary” Countertop Induction Oven (CIO) comes after years of investigation by the Japanese tech company. It can quickly grill, bake, and roast food, without preheating, said Panasonic in a Saturday press release.
What makes this new oven innovative is its capacity of heating food from different zones. As a result, the process of cooking turns out to be faster and practical. According to Tech Times reporters, it can cook hot chicken with veggies in 20 minutes.
The CIO comes with pre-set menu options and adjustable temperature controls to cook different types of food at the same time. Panasonic said that food turns out crispy on the outside and moist on the inside when using the oven.
Moreover, it has a direct induction heat system alongside a compact interior that creates a flow of circulating steam, which enhances the taste of food, said Panasonic. The oven is equipped with a dishwasher-safe grill that reduces oil with the same quality of a BBQ grill.
Panasonic has not confirmed price and availability of the product yet. However, it is expected to be shipped in October 2016. Currently, customers can take a look at the new Countertop Induction Over at the Panasonic booth at the International Home and Housewares Show, until Tuesday.
Reporters at CNET have said that the oven will have an estimated price of $600, which doesn’t seem impressive since the first microwaves had a cost of $1,295 when they were first launched in the 1950s. However, its price had decreased to under $300 by 1976, according to the National Museum of American History.
Panasonic researchers are also developing a tomato-picking robot
It seems that the Japanese company is interested in several fields of food, from the farming process to the cooking. On December, Panasonic announced the development of a tomato-picking robot, at the International Robot Exhibition.
Using machinery to grow tomatoes without harming the fruits can be a difficult task, explained Panasonic executives. As a result, researchers at the company’s labs are developing a new robot which is able to analyze color, shape and location of fruits. It will be able to move around autonomously while connected to a network, in order to transport tomatoes to baskets.
Source: Panasonic Press Release