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Re-imagining Heat, Redefining Control

redesigning induction

Reimagining Heat, Redefining Control

Why Induction Cooktop?

The induction cooktop has become a kitchen staple—convenient, low-maintenance, and easy to move wherever you need it. But let’s be honest: despite its popularity, its design hasn’t exactly kept up.

We saw this as a perfect chance to shake things up! Our goal? To create an induction cooktop that’s not only a visual upgrade but a functional one too. Think of it as the ideal blend of style and practicality, made to stand out in any kitchen.

Why Induction Cooktop?

Induction coo tops are increasingly popular for their energy efficiency, safety, and speed, but they often fall short on intuitive functionality and ease of aintenance

The bul y internal architecture further li its slee ness, resulting in a design that’s less opti ized and visually appealing than it could be

Cleaning is a persistent challenge, as crevices around controls and edges tend to collect spills, a ing up eep cu berso e

Additionally, co plex controls, li ited presets, and ini al feedbac can create a steep learning curve for users accusto ed to gas coo ing

A redesign that addresses these pain-points - focusing on a strea lined, opti ized internal structure, odern aesthetic, safety features and enhanced usability would a e induction coo tops ore efficient, functional and visually appealing itchen centerpiece.

User Reseach

Profiling our target audience

I am not used to cooking, but I want to prepare my own meals.

Rahul Malhotra

Doctor

Age: 25 Location: Pune

Education: M.B.B.S

Rahul i an empathetic medical tudent a piring to be a cardiac urgeon, currently working a a urgical re ident at Sahyadri Ho pital, Pune. He prioritize a healthy life tyle and frequently hit the gym in hi free time. Hi trict commitment to a balanced diet and di ciplined exerci e regimen demon trate hi dedication to fitne .

Goals

He prefer meal that are healthy, hygienic and cu tomizable

He i intere ted in exploring new, cooking technique and nutritiou recipe .

He prefer clear and imple cooking in truction that are ea y to follow.

He would like guidance on food afety practice to en ure hi meal to retain it maximum nutritional value.

Frustratio s

Rahul ha a fear of dealing with po ible health i ue from frequent take out food.

He he itate at the thought of the time and effort that goe into home cooked meal .

He ha a hard time finding a good cook to uit hi chedule and ta te.

Rahul i fairly unaware of cooking method and technique .

With limited time and a tight budget, I seek efficient and affordable dining choices.

ANJALI IYE

IT Engineer

bio

Age: 28

Location: Banglore Education: M.Tech

Anjali is a dedicated IT professional working long hours at a bustling tech company in Bangalore. She juggles working in different shifts, often extending into late nights. Anjali loves cooking but struggles to find time due to her working long and irratic shifts.

Goals

Anjali strives to nourish her body with wholesome nutritious homemade meals while optimizing her time in the kitchen

She wants to find cooking tips & tricks that is both easy and efficient, especially when she's short on time Cooking can be a therapeutic activity for Anjali, providing a much-needed break from her demanding job.

Frustrations

Difficulty in planning and preparing meals in advance, especially when shifts change frequently

Her hectic schedule often causes distractions, leading to insufficient attention and resulting in overcooked or burnt food.

She struggles to use up perishable ingredients in a timely manner, leading to food waste.

Usage Mapping

This is a structured overview that outlines each step of the process in making eggs. It provides insights into design opportunities and optimize user experience by understanding real-world scenarios, needs, & pain points

Activity

Gathering ingredients

Placing pan on cooktop

eggs, oil/butter, pan from cabinet

simple task just collecting items

placing pan on surface

Powering on the cooktop

pressing the button

placement on cooking zone

Forgetting ingredients

elay in cooking process

Preset function

pressing the button

Lack of knowledge about preset feature Ph

selecting preset setting

locating power button, routine task locating power button, routine task

no significant load starting task starting task

placing on inacti e zon

not ha ing an apt pan for induction

elay in cooking process

Forgetting to press the power button

elays in starting cooking

Unfamiliarity with interface

Forgetting to press the power button

elays in starting cooking

Unfamiliarity with interface

deciding which preset will be apt

anticipating smooth cooking

skipping the function or using it incorrectly

ne en cooking, longer cook time Distracted or unplanned approach

Usage Mapping

Activity

Adjusting temperature

sliding finger or pressing +/- buttons

choosing correct temperature based on dish

precision in control

A A A

Setting time

Adding ingredients to the pan

Selecting incorrect temperature (too high or low)

Unfamiliarity with temperature setting, interface complexity

Adjusting temperature during cooking

Using pause function

A A A

sliding finger or pressing +/- buttons

requires awareness of cooking time needed

depending on familiarity with the cooktop

pouring oil/ butter in the pan

tapping +/- or sliding to adjust heat

simple decision of how much to add based on recipe

beginning of cooking process

Setting incorrect time duration

Adding too much or too little

Food may undercook or overcoo

wasting time and energy

Impact on taste, texture of the dish

Lack of clear feedback or intuitive time setting interface

Inattentiveness to proportions or multitasking

monitoring how fast the eggs are cooking, adjusting heat, based on observation of cooking progress

Setting the heat too high, burning the egg

A A

pressing pause button

deciding when to pause cooking

taking a break in control of the process, sense of fine tuning

Failing to adjust temperature based on cooking pace

Forgetting to pause, or accidentally pausing cooking

Overcooked or burnt eggs

Difficulty managing heat

Lack of attention or delay in reaction

Cooking delayed, food potentially overcooked due to timing

Cognitive load, not realizing pause function exists

Usage Mapping

Activity

Timer alert (End of timer)

Cooking completion

hearing or seeing the alert, turning off manually or using auto-off

Turning off cooktop

Residual heat indicator

judging when eggs are fully cooked

Medium

responding to audio or visual alert & turning off cooktop requires judgement of doneness, color & texture

None

satisfaction of completion

nearing completion of meal

Ignoring the timer alert, delaying response

Overcookin

Wasting energy

pressing power button & removing pan

simple, routine task after cooking

passively viewing indicator

checking if cooktop surface is still hot

sense of completion

Removing the eggs too early or too late

ndercooked or overcooked eggs

ser may be distracted or engaged in other tasks

Lack of experience or attentiveness during cooking

Forgetting to turn off the cooktop

Waste of energ y safety hazard

Distracted y completing other kitchen tasks

Cleaning the cooktop

wiping down surface

waiting for cooktop to cool, routine cleaning

routine safety check simple, low-effort task

Ignoring the indicator

Cleaning while surface is still war nable to reach difficult corners & crevice

Difficulty in cleaning HMI section

ser may burn themselves on hot

surface

Potential for urns or damaging surface coatin

Saturation of spilled food &other residues

Lack of attention to visual feedback

Lack of accessi ility

A sence of indication

Key Issues

R gular maint nanc : Reaching the co ne s fo tho ough cleaning can be challenging

Bulk D sign: The p oduct appea s bulk and ma not align ell ith mode n kitchen aesthetics

Saf t C nc rns: The mal and elect ical safet issues a ise hen the su face heats up du ing use

Input int rfac : uttons a e ha d to ope ate hen the become g eas o hen the cooktop heats up

Clutt r d Int rfac : The induction inte face can be confusing, inc easing cogniti e load fo use s

En rg C nsumpti n: The p oduct consumes a significant amount of ene g du ing ope ation

S rvic abilit : Repai ing the p oduct is eithe not possible o e costl

Better Button and Interface Design: U e re pon ive to ch control , offer voice command , or incl de tactile b tton that are ea y to operate even hen grea y or hot

Enhanced Safety Features: Incorporate a tomatic h t off y tem , child lock feat re , and better heat re i tant material to prevent accident hen the cooktop overheat

Energy Ef ciency: Foc on optimizing energy con mption, improving the cooktop’ efficiency to minimize po er age itho t compromi ing performance

Modular and Customizable Elements: llo for interchangeable or c tomizable component , like adj table cooking zone or detachable rface , to cater to varying er preference

Wireless Connectivity: Integrate mart feat re , ch a app control , remote monitoring, and recipe g idance to enhance er experience

Design Approach

Product Development Process

Exi ting Paradig

Adh r to conv ntional li itation in dim n ion , compon nt , layout, and human-machin int rfac (HMI)

Narrow cop for ma or modi cation , r ulting in d ign that clo ly r mbl xi ting variant

Out-of-the-Box Thin in xplor th internal architecture in d pth and gain in ight into co ponent function and th ir working xamin layout po ibiliti and map out pot ntial improv m nt along with innovative configuration

Po ible Solution

I olat th HMI pan l, nabling alt rnativ int rfac option with th d vic

Relocate th HV circuit out id th nclo ur into a product adapter which would nhanc odularity and erviceability

R plac th axial fan with a centrifugal blower fan, in pir d by pac - f ci nt laptop cooling y t m

Modify th h at ink to conduct h at away from th HV unit mor ff ctiv ly.

Design Approach

Cha enge

Complete product redesig require frastructure setup ecessary for ew desig impleme tatio ains to the om an

Upda d d ign o app al o a young r, r nd-fo u d d ographi

Oppor uni i of system scalability and develo ment of an ecosystem of produ in hi g n

A -based o uni a ion and upgrad uppor

E pand d ost-sales se vice op ion

Benefits fo the ustome

Enhanced aesthetics, functionality, and com actness, allowing for a l k r d ig

Segmented layout i prov af y by r du ing ri k of alfun ion or da ag

In r a d rvi abili y du o modula d ig

Po n ial o add f a ur lik an hau y

Sma t featu es in gra d wi h obil app on rol for a od rn, in llig n

u r p ri n e

Design Approach

Mobil a

The smart app is being designed to complement the smart induction, providing an intuitive and seamless cooking experience Here s how it enhances the journey

Effortl ss Control: Manage and monitor your cooking remotely from any device

r cision & Customization: Tailor cooking settings and recipes to your preferences

R al-Tim F dback: Receive updates on cooking progress, energy usage, and more

Saf ty First: uilt-in safety alerts and automated controls for peace of mind

Merits of t e Design a roac

Greater co trol over i ter al arc itecture allow for refi ed de ig

Expa ded co cept ge eratio , facilitati g adaptatio acro u e ca e a d product li e

Opportu itie to i tegrate cutti g-edge tec ology to meet curre t cu tomer dema ds

Component Optimization

We propose redesigning the internal components and compartmentalizing them into separate low- and high-voltage sections thereby reducing the bulkiness of the induction cook top considerably.

The images below effectively illustrate how the bulkiness can be minimized, making the induction cook top sleeker and more streamlined.

Existing Internal Architecture

Redesigned Internal Architecture

High Voltage Components Copper Coil Axial

Blower Fan

External housing for High Voltage Components

Height reduced to 25-30mm

HMI Panel

Copper Coil Heat sink

Technical Specifications:

Dimen ion and Weight

Dimensions: 11 in x 15 in x 1.5 inch (LxBxH)

Weight: A roxim tely 1.8 to 2.7 kg

Temperature Control

Temperature Range: Ty ic lly rom 60°C (140° ) to 240°C (460° )

Preset Modes: Some models h ve s ecific settings like boil, ry, simmer, or kee w rm.

Cookware Compati ility

Induction stoves require errom gnetic cookw re (e.g., c st iron, st inless steel with iron core).

Cookware Diameter: Commonly suit ble or ots nd ns with 4 to 10 inches in di meter.

Control Type

Control Panel: Touch-sensitive or hysic l ush-button controls s er conce t. LED Displa : Shows tem er ture, ower settings, nd sometimes timer.

Build Material

Cooktop Surface: M de o he t-resist nt cer mic gl ss, which is e sy to cle n nd dur ble.

Casing Material: O ten l stic (ABS, PC) or st inless steel or dded dur bility nd e se o h ndling. com tibility.

Mood Board our vision

Ideation ideas taking

shape

Concepts visionary approaches

This innovative induction cook-top concept separates the cook-top from the user interface (HMI), this layout minimizes the risk of spills affecting controls and enhances safety during cooking.

The advanced design achieves an ultra-slim profile by rearranging internal components, allowing for a sleek, minimalist appearance without compromising power or functionality. This thoughtful reconfiguration brings a modern, practical solution for contemporary kitchens, combining safety, efficiency, and style in one compact appliance.

Concept 2

This cutting-edge induction cook-top merges minimalist elegance, creating a sleek, modern addition to any kitchen. Integrates seamlessly into the counter-top, sits flush, providing a smooth, uninterrupted surface that complements contemporary interiors.

Subtle LED highlights accentuate its refined edges, enhancing both form and function while offering intuitive visual feedback during use. With its seamless integration and elevated design, this induction cook-top is a sophisticated centerpiece that brings style and innovation to the kitchen.

Concept 3

This induction cook-top concept unites the tactile precision of a rotary knob with a minimalist, multi functional HMI panel, balancing intuitive interaction with sleek simplicity.

Designed for adaptability, its flexible component configuration seamlessly blends into diverse environments, while the modern industrial aesthetic enhances any space. This cook-top prioritizes efficiency, usability, and safety, embodying a thoughtful balance of form and function for an elevated cooking experience.

Concept Evaluation

The

Smart Knob Interface Overview

Why the Smart Knob?

The Smart Knob is more than a control tool; it’s a fully integrated cooking assistant that streamlines your experience. It combines the functionality of multiple buttons and displays into a single, easy-to-use interface, enhancing convenience and offers precision—all while saving valuable space on the cook top.

This innovative feature offers a balance of design and technology, making the induction cook top a stylish and intelligent addition to any kitchen.

The Smart Knob

Interface Overview

Smart Dial

Designed for the LED screen, the Smart Knob provides streamlined control over temperature, time, and cooking modes, enabling seamless, one-handed adjustments for a smooth, responsive cooking experience.

Easy Access Dial

This intuitive, minimalist dial puts temperature, time, presets, and AI Bot options within reach, offering precise, one-handed control over all essential functions for effortless operation.

Overview Screen

Displays real-time visual cues to keep you informed on progress, ensuring you stay connected to every step of the cooking process. Choosing

A built-in smart assistant, the AI Bot offers personalized suggestions and cooking tips tailored to your habits, enhancing your culinary experience with intelligent, real-time support.

AI Bot

The Smart Application

Smart cooking made simple

Why a Smart Application?

The smart induction app enhances your coo in with effortless control and precision

Syncin seamlessly with your coo top, the app allows you to view and control all coo in activities remotely, ensurin you're always in char e

Whether you’re adjustin temperature, chec in coo in status, or switchin modes, everythin is accessible directly from your phone or tablet.

Designing with Purpose

Raj, a 20-year-old got new induction cooktop. He uses the mobile application to connect with the induction cooktop.

He cooks the dish, following the app's instructions for time and temperature.

He finds recipe of his favourite dish Lasagna and starts preparing.

From time-to-time monitors the progress & the dish is READY.

App Screens

Mobile application

Remote Monitoring & Contro

The smart induction app empowers you to monitor and control your coo ing from anywhere, ensuring convenience and flexibility

Real-Time Monitoring: Trac coo ing progress, temperature, and time directly from your phone or tablet

Adjust Settings Remotely: Change temperature, coo ing modes, and timers without being physically present

Instant Notifications: Receive updates on coo ing status, including alerts for when your dish is ready or if adjustments are needed.

The smart induction app offers convenient preset modes to simplify cooking and ensure perfect results every time

Pre-Programmed Modes: elect from a range of cooking modes for dishes like stir fries, soups, and rice

Consistency: Achieve consistent temperature and cooking times, ensuring flawless results every time

Customization: Adjust and save your own preset modes for future meals.

Preset Mo e

The smart inducti n app takes c king t the next level with its Recipe M de, guiding y u thr ugh stepby-step instructi ns f r a variety f dishes

Guided Cooking: F ll w detailed, easy-tunderstand recipes with c king times, temperature settings, and ingredient lists

Interactive Experience: The app adjusts y ur c kt p settings aut matically based n the recipe, ensuring ptimal results

Wide Variety: Access a diverse range f recipes, fr m quick meals t g urmet dishes, all tail red f r y ur inducti n c kt p.

AI-Powered Assistant

Get personalized recipes tailored to your ingredients and serving size, and much more.

Custom Recipe Suggestions: Enter your available ingredients and preferred servings, and the AI bot will generate a recipe that fits your needs.

Adaptive Cooking Tips: Real-time guidance and tips tailored to each step of your cooking process.

Nutritional Insights: View calorie counts and nutrition information for every recipe.

Explore New Cuisines: Discover diverse recipes based on your preferences and ingredients.

Conclusion Bringing It All Together

A New Standard in Induction Cooking

Our redesign journey transformed the induction cooktop by addressing core issues like usability, efficiency, and safety. From reimagining the internal layout to optimizing heat distribution and control, every element was fine-tuned to create a sleek, user-friendly design. The integration of an intuitive app elevates the cooking experience by enabling remote control, personalized presets, and smart safety features, bringing unmatched convenience and confidence to every meal. This innovative cooktop sets a new standard for functionality and style, making cooking not only efficient but truly enjoyable.