Miele’s smart home solutions

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Gregoire Dorel discusses Miele's eco-friendly, innovation and sustainability

01 June 2024

For insights into Miele's innovative appliances and their role in sustainable living, we spoke with Gregoire Dorel, VIC Sales Manager, Projects at Miele Australia. With his extensive knowledge of Miele's product range and commitment to energy efficiency, Gregoire shares how the company is transforming the way we live through cutting-edge technology and eco-friendly solutions. 

How has Miele's approach to appliance design and technology evolved to meet the changing needs of modern living? 

Miele has significantly evolved its approach to appliance design and technology to keep pace with the demands of modern living. Firstly, we've made substantial investments in smart home innovations. Now, you can control your appliances remotely using your smartphone or even through voice assistants like Alexa and Google Home. This makes managing your home considerably more convenient. 

Another significant advancement has been in our automatic programs. These are designed to make cooking easier and more enjoyable. By utilising pre-set parameters, guided cooking, and advanced sensor technologies, these programs eliminate the guesswork from cooking, ensuring you get consistent, high-quality meals with minimal effort. 

We've also made notable progress in energy efficiency. With our Consumption Dashboard, you gain full transparency on your electricity and water usage. It even provides monthly reports, which helps you manage your energy consumption more effectively. 

What are some of the most cutting-edge features and innovations that Miele incorporates into their appliances to enhance the living experience? 

Miele is really at the forefront when it comes to innovative features. For instance, our FoodView technology integrates a high-quality camera in the oven cavity. This allows you to monitor your cooking process in real-time through your phone, which enables you to keep an eye on your cooking when entertaining your friends. 

Our Combi Steam Pro ovens feature a HydroClean functionality, which uses steam combined with a specially formulated Miele detergent to loosen food residues and grease for effortless cleaning results. 

Another impressive feature is the Miele app. This smart connectivity feature allows you to control and monitor your appliances remotely. For example, with our washing machines, you can select the type of fabric, as well as how dirty your garment is, and the machine will choose the perfect program. It then syncs with the dryer to select the optimal drying program. It's all about making life easier and more efficient. 

How do Miele's appliances contribute to the overall sustainability and energy efficiency of off-the-plan developments? 

Miele's commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency is at the heart of everything we do. Miele's guiding principle, 'Immer Besser,' aims to set a standard of 'forever better' products that are durable, sustainable, and high-performing with a stylish finish. 

With this always in mind, our appliances are built to last, with testing for a lifespan equivalent to 20 years of average usage. We use durable materials and high-quality components to ensure longevity. 

Many of our washing machines and dishwashers achieve a 5-star energy rating, which is now a minimum requirement for new developments. This means our products are incredibly efficient in terms of energy and water usage. 

In what ways does Miele collaborate with developers and architects to ensure seamless integration of their appliances into the design and functionality of new homes? 

At Miele, we work very closely with developers and architects to make sure our appliances fit seamlessly into new home designs. Our Projects division collaborates with interior designers and developers right from the early stages of a project. This helps in selecting products that match the design, functionality, and budget requirements. 

Once the products are specified, we support the development through various activations. This includes display openings, pre-purchase cooking demonstrations, and product training for sales teams. Our service team also plays a crucial role by inspecting sites before handover to troubleshoot any potential installation issues. 

Even after the project is completed, we provide ongoing support to ensure that end-users can fully utilise all the features of our appliances. We have fourteen Miele Experience Centres and numerous retail partners to assist with this. 

What sets Miele apart from other premium appliance brands when it comes to meeting the unique demands of off-the-plan developments? 

One of the key differentiators from other appliance brands is that we produce our own electronics. This gives us better control over the design, development, and manufacturing processes, allowing us to integrate advanced features. It also means we can quickly implement technological advancements and maintain high quality control standards for such developments. 

Another unique aspect is our ability to supply all areas of a development — cooking, laundry, refrigeration — you name it. This one-brand solution is something that really sets us apart from other brands. 

Additionally, should the purchaser require a service call at any stage, we have our own in-house team of highly trained technicians and a first-time fix rate of close to 80%, which is a testament to our expertise and commitment to customer satisfaction. 

Can you share any insights into Miele's future plans or upcoming innovations that will continue to redefine the standards of everyday living? 

We have some exciting innovations lined up for the future. In 2025, we plan to introduce our first laundry cabinet, called Miele Aerium. This steam cabinet is designed for refreshing and drying all types of textiles, which will be incredibly convenient. 

We’re also further developing our FoodView technology with SmartFood ID, which uses the integrated camera in the oven cavity to recognise ingredients and select the best cooking settings automatically. This feature leverages artificial intelligence to make cooking even easier. 

Another upcoming innovation is the MealSync feature. This app feature will synchronise your cooking times between different appliances, such as the oven and steam oven, ensuring that all your dishes are ready at the same time, making entertaining a whole lot easier – and much less stressful. 

We’re also developing new refrigeration products that will open and close in response to voice commands or a simple knock on the door. 

And with artificial intelligence diagnostics, we will soon be able to diagnose appliance issues and provide step-by-step repair instructions without the need for a service call. It's all about making life easier for our consumers.