Over the past century, the IFA has evolved from early radios to today’s smart homes, reflecting the shift from analog to digital technology.
AI for all
Walking through the halls of IFA 2024, it was impossible to miss one clear trend: AI is absolutely everywhere.
When AI exploded onto the scene in 2021, many of us expected it to revolutionize industries, but did we really foresee just how quickly and thoroughly it would become embedded in our everyday lives?
AI wasn’t just a feature—it was the foundation. Companies showcased AI-powered innovations that weren’t merely solving current problems but anticipating needs we didn’t even know we had.
Take, for example, the smart home technologies on display. We’ve gone from simple devices like video analysis software to AI-driven refrigerators that monitor their contents and automatically order missing ingredients for your next meal. Or thermostats that no longer just regulate temperature but operate as part of a hive mind, optimizing energy use across your home based on patterns you haven’t even noticed.
The future is undeniably convenient and fascinating. As we embrace AI in more aspects of our lives, and into our homes, the question remains: How much control are we comfortable relinquishing? And perhaps more importantly, will we even miss it?
A screen-connection.
With the rise of AI, the way we interact with our living spaces is changing, and one thing stands out: screens are at the center of it all.
While smart homes can automate much of our day-to-day, there’s still something special about making decisions ourselves. Whether it's dimming a light to set the perfect mood or choosing what temperature we feel comforted right now.
Screens and apps have become the new gateway to our homes, offering a level of connection and control we’ve never had before. This trend was impossible to miss—everywhere you looked, products featured interfaces that mirrored the look and feel of our phones.
Smart Wash Tech
Let’s talk about washing machines for a moment. We’ve all been there—standing in front of the washing machine, trying to decide which setting is best for that wool sweater you got for Christmas. No matter how many washing programs and methods your machine offers, there’s never been a guarantee that your delicate items won’t come out ruined.
Machines equipped with Deep Learning, AI sensors, and weight algorithms are now able to detect fabric type, degree of soiling, and load weight. They automatically choose the best wash pattern, taking the guesswork out of laundry day.
The future is cute
This year marks an exciting milestone in a growing trend—tiny robot assistants are making their way into our lives in the most charming way possible.
Over the years, we’ve seen some big leaps in product design: first, we had computers integrated into everything, then the rise of the Internet of Things, and now AI. But what happens when AI goes small?
The emergence of these tiny robot companions feels like a nostalgic nod to the 90s, mixing the playful spirit of a Genibo or Tamagotchi with the advanced digital assistants we know today, like Alexa and Siri. But here’s the interesting part: could shrinking these assistants into adorable, portable forms give them more presence in our daily lives, rather than just existing as bodyless helpers?
Maybe this evolution to a smaller scale is about creating more human connections with our tech. After all, it’s one thing to have a voice-activated device sitting in the corner of your home, but imagine having a cute, interactive robot following you around, responding to your needs in real-time. Suddenly, AI isn’t just functional—it’s personal.
It feels like the future of assistance is not only smarter but also cuter, and perhaps that’s the key to making it more relatable and integrated into our everyday routines.
A promise of sustainability*
With all the big commitments of a greener and more eco-friendly future, one can’t help but wonder: are we truly making the strides we need, or are there still blind spots?
*| It’s no secret that sometimes the fine print reveals more complex realities. You see an impressive claim, but then there’s a small asterisk. What’s behind it? Often, it points to challenges that make us question if sustainability is becoming more of a buzzword than a real, measurable impact.
Of course, no journey towards sustainability is without its hurdles. Terms like "internal research" or "compared to selected worse-performing products" are part of the process, but do they reflect enough ambition?
While these questions remain, one thing is clear: the conversation around sustainability isn’t going away—it’s evolving. The fact that sustainability continues to take center stage at major events like IFA shows that the industry is committed to improving, even if progress isn’t always linear.
Stick it up
Next to 100 years IFA in 2024, another milestone was celebrated—20 years since AEG introduced their cordless Handstick vacuum cleaners. Looking around the exhibition, it’s clear that this sleek, one-hand, one-stick design has become the standard for vacuums today. Over the years, they’ve evolved with more powerful batteries, better filters, and bigger docking stations, but the design itself? That seems to be sticking around for the long run forming modern sculptures in the home.
It makes you wonder—why has this particular design become iconic? Is it more convenient? The minimalist look? Or is it simply what we’ve come to expect from modern vacuums?
Then again, with the rise of vacuum robotics this could also mark the zenith of popularity for this design.
Exhibit expressions
The IFA 2024 was an incredible success, and for good reason—it marked 100 years of groundbreaking innovation. To celebrate this milestone, IFA unveiled a fresh new corporate identity, a fitting tribute to a century of performance and evolution. Well deserved!
Some CMF appreciation and new trends
From 3D elements to circles making bold statement forms, there was no shortage of experimentation in every direction.
One trend that stood out was seamless design. Displays were so beautifully integrated into products that you were almost surprised when they flashed on. It was a clear ode to minimalism—technology becoming invisible until you need it, blending effortlessly into the overall aesthetic.
3D Icons make a comeback
Gone are the flat, minimalist symbols we’ve gotten used to; in their place, we’re seeing a shift back toward depth, texture, and detail. It feels like a reversal of the early 2000s trend when skeuomorphic designs were phased out in favor of simpler, flat icons, a shift that really took hold with the advent of the iPhone.
But now, the tides are turning once again. These new 3D icons are vibrant and tangible, giving digital elements a more lifelike quality. Are we ready to bring more realism back into our digital spaces?
O yes, a full circle moment!
"Round and round it goes," or so the saying goes—but it really did! Circular and round designs were everywhere, making a bold statement across product lines. From curved screens to circular buttons and interfaces, it seems that the tech world is embracing the softer, more organic look of round forms.
