Thinking of upgrading your kitchen this year? How about a refrigerator that has different cooling zones? Or a hub that gets you the recipe you want, as well as lets you do your shopping?

If you think these appliances are elements in a sci-fi flick, think again. These devices are already on display at the Consumer Electronics Show 2016 in Las Vegas, and some of them will be available to consumers sometime this year.

Sungale

Sungale brought the Netchef G3 to CES 2016. The device features a touchscreen display and voice recognition so users can easily ask for recipes, do online shopping, monitor their homes with its built-in camera, listen to music, browse the Internet, watch videos and so much more.

Another device from Sungale is the Kitchen Screen, a tablet designed to be stuck on the refrigerator door that also serves the same functions as the Netchef G3.

Whirlpool

Whirlpool Corp. showed how it envisions the kitchen of the future. Using an interactive display, it showed a smart cooktop, backsplash, sink, microwave and refrigerator. The cooktop is able to recognize what items you place on top, and it can recommend recipes based on what ingredients you have, heat food and drink and the right temperature, and provide the nutritional facts of specific foods. It also gives information on food, schedules and weather, and even messages are displayed on the backsplash.

The sink does the dishes for you; no need to load them in the dishwasher anymore. As for the refrigerator, this one is not a concept. The french door smart refrigerator has been redesigned to feature better shelving, plus it features different modes, such as Party, which allows things to get cool and make ice faster, even with the constant opening of the doors. 

LG

LG Electronics, Inc. introduced a refrigerator in its Signature line that takes the door-in-door feature to the next level: Knock and the door turns transparent. This allows you to see what’s inside the refrigerator, well on the side where you knocked anyway, so you don’t have to open anything and stand there like an idiot while trying to figure out what you want, essentially wasting energy. It also has a sensor at the bottom that is triggered with a person’s feet so it automatically opens the door when your hands are full. LG stated that the sensor is smart enough to discern when it’s a person’s feet or a pet, so it doesn’t open the door when your dog or cat approaches it. The LG Signature refrigerator has a T-type design – french doors at the top part, and two freezer shelves at the bottom. LG also

It also has a sensor at the bottom that is triggered with a person’s feet, so it automatically opens the door when your hands are full. LG stated that the sensor is smart enough to discern when it’s a person’s feet or a pet, so it doesn’t open the door when your dog or cat approaches it. The LG Signature refrigerator has a T-type design — french doors at the top part and two freezer shelves at the bottom. LG also

LG also introduced the latest model of its dishwasher that features three configurable tiers, so you can fit almost anything in it. Plus the camera sensors inside the machine keeps track of which spots have already been cleaned, allowing it to concentrate on parts that still needs to be cleaned, essentially saving water.

Samsung

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. delivered the Family Hub refrigerator that does almost everything for you. The french door refrigerator features a large touchscreen display that acts as a hub. It has cameras inside that takes a photo of its content every time you close the door to keep track of your supply, and its temperature and humidity sensor lets you know if stocks are still fresh or about to spoil. Samsung has also partnered with MasterCard, Inc. and introduced the

Samsung has also partnered with MasterCard, Inc. and introduced the Groceries app, which allows consumers to directly order food from the Family Hub from leading grocers such as FreshDirect and ShopRite.

Smarter

Upgrading your kitchen doesn’t necessarily have to mean buying a new $5,000 refrigerator, thanks to Smarter Applications, Ltd. At CES 2016, Smarter introduced (pdf) the $100 Smarter Fridge Cam, which you stick inside your refrigerator and every time you open the door, it takes a photo, helping you keep track of the items inside so you’ll easily know what items to buy next time you shop.

Also on display is Smarter Mats, a device that measures the weight if anything is placed on top of it, keeping track if you’re running low on milk, juice, soda, soup or whatever you have placed on top of it. Pricing for the Smarter Mat starts at $80.

Smarter also featured the Smarter Detect, a $100 item that you can train to listen for signals at your home, such as when the timer goes off on the oven, someone ringing the doorbell, or the beeping sound when the refrigerator door is left open, and then it sends an alert to your smartphone. Devices will be available in spring 2016.

Gourmia

If you love cooking but find it quite tedious, Gourmia introduced its 10-in-1 Multi-function Robotic Cooker at CES. The Robotic Cooker features a hands-free stirrer that allows everything to cook perfectly and evenly. Plus, if you’re frying something, you will need less oil because the hands-free stirrer will make sure nothing gets burned. Also, it features 3D cooking, which means heat is evenly distributed. The Robotic Cooker is now available on Amazon.com for $149.99.

Image via Whirlpool Corp.