Bosch plans to harness the power of Blockchain for its next refrigerator

By AJ Dellinger April 9, 2019

Bosch HBLP651LUC oven review Bosch — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Remember just a few short years ago when blockchain technology was taking over the world? It became such a popular concept that an iced tea company managed to boost its stock by placing “blockchain” in its name and promising to make use of the emerging technology. Well, while some of the mainstream popularity of the technology has waned, blockchain hasn’t gone anywhere. And now German electronics company Bosch is planning to use the technology in an upcoming refrigerator.

The company recently announced that it will be teaming up with Wien Energie, a major energy firm located in Austria, to create a new smart fridge that will sport blockchain related features, as well as some of the standard fare that you might expect from an Internet-connected appliance.

To start, the refrigerator will apparently use energy that will be generated using blockchain technology. Owners will be able to see exactly where the energy is coming from and will have control over the source of their fridge’s power. That means users will be able to choose between sourcing energy from local solar panels, wind farms, and other alternatives. The sourcing will be controlled via a smartphone app.

In addition to the blockchain-powered features that the fridge will sport, it will also come with standard smart appliance options. That includes the ability to remotely control the temperature inside the fridge, receive alerts if the door is left open, and see a detailed account of electricity consumption that allows users to better track just how much their fridge is costing them on their monthly electricity bill.

“We see the blockchain technology as an opportunity for us and are already testing the possibilities in practice with pilot customers. The goal is to make energy more accessible and comprehensible in the future,” Peter Gönitzer, CEO of Wien Energie, said in a statement.

There are a lot of questions left unanswered regarding Bosch’s blockchain refrigerator, which appears more concept than reality at the moment. It’s not clear which blockchain it will use, when it will be available, or how much it will cost. For those looking to take more control over their energy consumption, the concept is something to look forward to.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Contributor

AJ Dellinger is a freelance reporter from Madison, Wisconsin with an affinity for all things tech. He has been published by…

Smart Home

Best portable power station deals: Bluetti, EcoFlow, and more

Bluetti AC300 portable power station

Whether you’re looking for some portable power because you’re about to hit the road or because you’d like some extra power around the garage or backyard, portable power stations are a great way to go about it. A portable power station can help you keep your device charged up while camping, or can simply power the day while tailgating. But a portable power station can also add some savings to your wallet, as we’ve tracked down all of the best portable power station deals to shop right now. You can read onward for all of the details on how to save, and if you’d like to shop for more savings around the house, be sure to check out the current lawn mower deals, pressure washer deals, and smart lock deals.

Our favorite portable power station deals

Smart Home

Best office chair deals: Improve your posture from $78

staples offering best deals on select printers office chairs plus free shipping chair

A long day at the desk deserves a way to make it more comfortable. Adding one of the best ergonomic office chairs to your work life can get a little expensive, which is why we’ve rounded up the best office chair deals worth shopping right now. There are a lot of budget options and premium options available, as well as several to choose from in between. Reading onward you can find all of the details on the best office chair deals to shop right now, and if you’re looking for some savings on a device to plop yourself in front of have a look at the going laptop deals, gaming laptop deals, desktop computer deals, and monitor deals as well.
Flash Furniture Fundamentals swivel task chair — $90, was $149

This offering from Flash Furniture clearly states that it is task chair and not your typical office chair. Not familiar with the lingo? Task chairs are a subset of office chairs that are made to... well, do tasks in. The thinking goes that office chairs are used primarily for sitting and looking at screens, then doing occasional fits of typing and clicking. The Flash Fundamentals Task Chair, and other task chairs like it, are made for more activity than normal. How does Flash Furniture give you this? It emphasizes quick twists in the 360-degree swivel and a smaller horizontal profile so you can move about with ease through multiple task stations or with multiple workers present. And, of course, there's the nice mesh backing to keep you from getting overheated while doing everything. Try it out for yourself via the button below to see if a task chair is for you.

Smart Home

Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo vs. Dreame X40 Ultra: Which robot vacuum is best for your smart home?

The Ecovacs X2 Combo installed in a home.

The Dreame X40 Ultra and Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo are both well-rounded robot vacuums. They bring heaps of functionality to your home, including self-cleaning docks, robots that can both mop and clean in a single run, and luxurious designs that blend with most home décor. All that doesn't come cheap, and you'll be spending well over $1,000 to get your hands on either robot. That means you'll want to carefully weigh your options before making such a hefty investment.

From vacuuming and mopping performance to pricing and additional features, here's a look at the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo and Dreame X40 Ultra to help you decide which is best for your home.
Pricing and availability