Freescale Semiconductor enables disruptive new concept for cooking at home

Freescale Semiconductor  introduced its vision for a radically innovative appliance concept that leverages solid state radio frequency (RF) technology to revolutionize cooking. Developed in partnership with global product strategy and design firm frog, this breakthrough proof of concept will help enable fresh, chef-quality meals available at home with virtually no effort or prep time.

With the convenience of a microwave and quality of a traditional oven, this smart, connected RF cooking concept can control where, when and how much heating energy is directed into food – enabling more precise cooking for dramatically improved consistency, taste and nutrition. This fine-tuned heating capability helps prevent overcooking, which can destroy nutritional content, reduce moisture and waste energy. Freescale’s solid state RF cooking technology can also enable appliance OEMs to create products capable of cooking multiple dishes and items at the same time within the same appliance, significantly simplifying meal preparation.

By precisely controlling the location, cycles, and levels of cooking energy, the appliance will bring food from a raw or frozen state to a cooked temperature rapidly and without intervention. With the addition of convection heating to enable browning and crisping, the oven concept can also support a wide array of cooking types and qualities, from searing to browning to baking to poaching.

“Consumers worldwide are strapped for time but still want nutrient-rich, high quality meals at home,” said Paul Hart, senior vice president and general manager for Freescale’s RF business. “They will no longer need to choose between quality and convenience. Imagine not only having ready-to cook, gourmet meals delivered to your door, but achieving restaurant-quality results in mere minutes. This is an exciting new appliance concept based on a novel cooking paradigm.”

Freescale’s connected RF cooking proof of concept is expected to enable new levels of consumer convenience, on par with the single-brew coffee pod’s popularity among coffee drinkers at home and in the workplace. This convenience paves the way for a host of new business models and opportunities, including internet-driven home delivery of freshly prepared meals from a variety of sources – including restaurants, grocery stores and farm-to-table cooperatives – all quickly and easily cooked in the appliance. The concept also holds the broader potential of improving food supply chain efficiency by collecting and transmitting Big Data sets which can contribute to more efficient food distribution, targeted services and enhanced products.

An Internet of Things solution, this connected RF cooking concept could access a virtually unlimited library of recipes, learn new cooking methods within online social communities, adapt to consumer cooking preferences, and add and store recipes in real-time. Additionally, the concept appliance’s solid state RF power technology keeps form factors small, allowing for stylish, modern countertop designs. Appliance manufacturers are free to imagine and create highly differentiated design geometries, features, and functions. And the solution’s narrow band energy allows it to coexist with WiFi, Bluetooth and other connected devices.