Katie Rose reflects on highlights from the 100th IFA exhibition and KNX’s position at the leading edge of sustainable technological innovation.
Founded in December 1924, this year marks the centenary of IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung / International Radio Exhibition) held at Messe Berlin 6-10 September 2024. One of the world’s leading trade shows for consumer electronics and home appliances, IFA has hosted many extraordinary innovations and their inventors.
Arriving through a walkway of colourful flags, visitors were greeted in the modernist hallway of Messe Berlin by a hologram of Albert Einstein delivering his Opening Speech at the seventh Große Deutsch Funkausstellung (Great German Radio Exhibition) as it was then, in 1930. “Dear present and absent ones,” he says, “When you listen to the radio, think about how people came into possession of this wonderful tool of communication. The original source of all technical achievements is the divine curiosity, and the playful instinct of the tinkering and pondering researcher, and no less the constructive imagination of the technical inventor.”
Einstein delivered his speech at the foot of the newly built Funkturm (radio tower) alongside the first Messe exhibition hall. Inspired by the Eiffel Tower, die Langer Lulatsch, (the Lanky Lad), took two years to build, opening at the third German Radio Exhibition in 1926 and transmitting the first live TV broadcast in 1928. Having hobbled out of World War II on three legs, the Lanky Lad has towered over historic IFA moments such as Vice Chancellor Willy Brandt switching on German colour TV in 1967.
This year IFA welcomed 1800 exhibitors and 215,000 visitors from 138 countries. Core show areas included Home and Entertainment, Home Appliances, Smart Home and Communication plus the growth areas of Audio, Computing and Gaming, Fitness and Digital Health, Mobility, Photo, Video and Content Creation. Innovative startups were showcased at IFA Next – A Look to the Future, with a special focus on partner country South Korea. Over 120 speakers, including artists Nicole Scherzinger and Riccardo Simonnetti, discussed hot topics including AI, Sustainability, Connectivity, Fitness and Digital Health and Content Creation. The Sommergarten festival line-up featured a comeback from dance music band Faithless, alongside performances from Bryan Adams, Lie Ning and Kelvin Colt.
Longstanding brands presenting at IFA 2024 included Miele, which was celebrating its 125th anniversary with the launch of the world’s first washing machine without drum ribs and Guard L1, the first cylinder vacuum cleaner to be controlled via an LCD colour display. Under the banner ‘Say hi to intelligence,’ KNX member Siemens introduced the iQ700 oven which uses AI to recognise and cook 80 dishes and the fully automated EQ900 coffee machine. Siemens will be showcasing its KNX products at the NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) Convention this Autumn.
Sustainability
Sustainability was a huge theme across the show, with exhibitors such as Octopus Energy promoting renewables, and GEME showcasing an electronic smart composter. As residential housing accounts for 20% of global carbon emissions, creating smart sustainable homes is vital in mitigating climate change.
KNX at IFA
KNX has been exhibiting at IFA for a number of years now, and had an impressive presence at this year’s show as the control protocol for the ZVEH E-Haus, previously showcased at Light + Building 2024. During a tour of it, both KNX CEO Heinz Lux and systems integrator Marco Koyne emphasised the main aim of smart living. i.e. to decrease energy usage and save costs whilst maintaining consumer comfort.
The tour demonstrated how KNX enables consumers to access a wealth of data about their energy usage and costs, whilst maintaining a safe, healthy and sustainable smart home. For example, intelligent window handles can be set to open or close with weather changes and to send alerts if left unlocked. An AI-powered bathroom panel can set up the day with health statistics, medication and calendar reminders. Floor sensors in the bedroom can raise the alarm if the resident falls out of bed, whilst tap sensors ensure water temperatures stay at safe levels for children and the elderly.
AI can also now assess fridge contents and make meal suggestions, thereby reducing food wastage, whilst significant energy and cost savings can be made by programming appliances such as touch hobs and water heaters to activate only during usage. Dishwashers and washing machines can also to be set to run during low energy tariff times or using renewable energy stored in batteries.
Eye-catchers and fun launches
Neighbouring the E-Haus, an astronaut cat was promoting the Astropet self-cleaning litter tray which measures cat weight mid-poop. Indeed, the smart pet was well catered for throughout the show with automatic feeding, drinking and grooming gadgets.
Other fun launches included the Barbie X Kodak Printomatic, a new instant camera and mobile photo printer, and Lenovo’s Auto-Twist AI PC which, in response to voice and movement, can turn to follow a user round the room. The novelty of AI gadgets such as robot-driven lawnmowers was accompanied by panels and presentations exploring the ethics and implications of AI’s explosion into all areas of life.
The stand-out light display came from Turkish electronics manufacturer Vestel, whose LED installation captured images of visitors. The company was also showcasing its MiniLED TV, AI Art TV and the Block TV which enables users to replace, repair and upgrade their TV screen and stand.
Conclusion
As the world’s oldest tech fair, IFA is evidently keen to demonstrate that it is not just a traditional trade show by showcasing culture and entertainment alongside technological advances. The buzz generated by global premieres of electrical and electronic gadgets plus the burgeoning use of AI, was accompanied by a strong sense that the spirit of innovation must now be applied to finding sustainable solutions. The E-Haus presence at the show underlined this, and put KNX firmly at the leading edge of futuristic technologies, meeting both consumer-driven trends and the urgent need to address the climate crisis.
Nicole Scherzinger’s advice at the end of her IFA fireside chat was to listen, believe and follow ‘your heart’s whisper.’ Let us hope the next century of whisperings, tinkerings and ponderings of ‘divine curiosity’ inspire solutions for a safe, happy, healthy and sustainable future!
IFA Berlin: www.ifa-berlin.com
ZVEH E-Haus: www.zveh.de/maerkte-themen/smart-homesmart-building/das-e-haus.html
Katie Rose is the Assistant Editor at KNXtoday magazine.
