Xavier Rofes (Haier) bets on AI in household appliances to achieve “maximum energy savings”

Xavi Rofes, country manager de Haier Smart Home Iberia see integration of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the home appliance market an “opportunity” that will allow users to “activate scenarios with different levels of automation”, ensuring “maximum energy savings” based on objectives established by themselves.

This is what he is looking for Haier Group through its hOn application a home appliance management platform with which the company promotes the use of artificial intelligence and connectivity. “This way, We reduce environmental impact with innovative and sustainable solutions, while optimizing resource consumption and we extend the useful life of the products,” explains Rofes.

In an interview given to Europa Press, the manager affirms that the hOn application now has more than 7 million unique users in Europewhich positions them as “a leading connectivity company.” This interconnectivity allows economic savings, through a constant monitoring, learning habits and intelligent suggestions adapted to the behaviors and functionalities of each user.

In this sense, he has given as an example the ‘Eco-Schedule’ functionwhich allows, through the hOn application, Automatically schedule the start of the cycle of washing machines, washer dryers and dryers when the cost of electricity is most economical. Likewise, the ‘Smart Solar’ function It allows you to coordinate the management of all connected solar appliances and devices (solar panels, batteries, etc.) to facilitate self-consumption through AI by selecting the optimal times for connecting them to the grid.

AN AVERAGE SAVINGS OF 2,600 LITERS OF WATER PER YEAR THANKS TO AI

Another tool that stands out is ‘Smart AI Cycle’introducing in washing machines a technology capable of determining the weight of the load, the type of fibers present in the garments to adjust the necessary amount of water, optimal temperature and the precise dose of detergent. Thanks to this solution, it is estimated that the user You will save an average of 2,600 liters of water per year. For its part, the ‘Bionicook’ functionality Haier’s ID Series ovens allow you to recognize food and set the correct cooking mode thanks to AI.

“If we look to the future, Haier’s challenge in artificial intelligence In the coming years it focuses on ‘Smart Energy’ solutions, which will allow different scenarios to be activated with different levels of automationensuring maximum energy savings based on objectives established according to the personal goals of each user,” adds Rofes.

These improvements that come through the software They join products that stand out for “a high standard in energy efficiency.” Thus – adds Haier’s country manager – “the X Series 11 range has achieved a milestone with an A-60% rating, something unprecedented until now, while dishwashers with A-30% efficiency and A-20% refrigerators continue to position themselves as benchmarks in the sector.”

THE FASTEST GROWING APPLIANCES GROUP IN SPAIN

The arrival of Xavi Rofes to Haier as country manager five years ago coincided with the acquisition of Candy Hoover Group by the Haier Group. “Since then, we have been the group of household appliances with the highest growth in the market. This has been due to our approach to the market, with a multi-brand strategy capable of meet the needs of all user segments, with large investments and with the creation of a solid team with the best professionals, which, in reality, is what has made the difference,” says the Spanish manager.

During this time the user has also evolved. Rofes indicates that the Today’s consumer is “more digital” and “more informed”, Therefore, “there is increasing demand for higher quality appliances with greater technological innovations.” In this way, it details that consumers They want to have more and more control over their home’s energy consumptionboth for the money savings it entails and for the greater awareness of its impact on the environment.

Haier, Candy and Hoover now make up the Group’s offer. The company works with different approaches for each brand based on its positioning, but maintaining the purpose of taking the step from product to experience thanks to new features and innovations that accompany users in their day-to-day needs.

“Haier provides innovation, design and cutting-edge technology. The Candy brand – with its new positioning – benefits from the group’s innovative capacity. Candy offers efficient solutions in all product categories and satisfies all the needs of consumers, guaranteeing the highest quality and accessibility. For your part Hoover offers solutions in the vacuum and appliance market with high performance and design,” analyzes Rofes.

PRODUCT NEWS AT THE IFA FAIR IN BERLIN

At the IFA 2024 fair, held this September in Berlin, the company has announced new products Haier brand productwith a strong commitment to energy efficiency through its range of connected solutions. Thus, it has reached “big milestones” in terms of energy efficiency with its X Series 11 washing products, with a classification A-60% on the range of washing machines, A-40% on the X Series 9 and certification A-20% in the cooling category.

In addition, it continues to expand its range of smart appliances with the range of hornos Bionic Steam, new ID Series ovens, or cooking plates; a selection of new features that can be connected through the hOn platform, allowing users to enjoy advanced features and greater convenience in home management.

For its part, among the Candy’s most notable news for IFA 2024 are the ProWash 700 washing machine and the new generation of Candy Bake 800 ovenswith an A++ energy classification in the Full Black, Full Inox and Stainless Steel collections. This oven is equipped with advanced functions such as No Preheat, a technology that allows you to start the cooking cycle without preheating, saving 30% time and up to 25% energy.

In addition, Candy Fresco 700 It is positioned as one of the most innovative options on the refrigerator market, with an A energy classification and a capacity of 409 liters in 2 meters. The new refrigerator incorporates Circle Fresh technology to ensure the good maintenance of fresh food for 7 days. A series of products that are part of Candy’s new ‘Ready to live’ concept.

As for the Hoover brandhas presented a new strategic positioning focused on “designing solutions that guarantee the best combination of performance and optimal use time to offer long-lasting benefits and implement innovative technologies.” In this context, it stands out new range of HF4 Hydro and HF2 stick vacuum cleaners.

When asked about user interest in the connectivity functions of the new products, Rofes insists on the convenience provided by being able to control appliances from your mobile phone and the benefit of optimizing their use while saving resources. “As leaders in IoT for 6 consecutive years and with more than 7 million users connected to Haier Smart Home, the evolution of these numbers clearly reflects the growing interest of consumers in integrating these solutions into their daily lives,” he concluded.