The era of hand-gesture control à la Tom Cruise in “Minority Report” is about to dawn in our kitchens.
Sharp Home Electronics Company of America (SHCA) has begun shipping a first-of-its-kind Micro-WAVE Drawer that opens with the wave of a hand.
The unit, model SMD2480CS, features a motion sensor that activates the touchless opening feature. The door can then be closed with the touch of a button or a gentle nudge.
As sales and marketing senior VP Peter Weedfald noted, “Who hasn’t had that awkward moment when they needed to press a button or pull on a handle of an appliance but didn’t have a free hand?”
The new appliance is actually the third generation of Sharp’s microwave drawer series. Like its antecedents, it boasts a modern, stainless-steel design with concealed touch-glass controls on a dampened drop-down panel that opens to an easily accessible 45-degree angle.
“Our new Micro-WAVE Drawer takes Sharp’s industry-leading microwave technology to the next level with the integration of our easy wave open feature,” said Jim Sanduski, president of Sharp Electronics Marketing Company of America (SEMCA). “Since its introduction, the Microwave Drawer has been embraced by designers, architects and consumers alike, and our third-generation model represents Sharp’s steadfast commitment to remaining at the forefront of kitchen innovation.”
Related: Sharp Heating Up Microwave Market Online
The latest addition features a 24-inch edge-to-edge black glass design; 1.2-cubic-foot capacity; LED interior lighting; pre-set menus; and a suggested retail price of $1,750.
