Forgetting about the fruits and vegetables tucked away in the back of your refrigerator is something most households have experienced. By the time you remember them, they may already be past their best. Whirlpool wants to tackle this everyday problem with a new feature that brings artificial intelligence into food storage. The home appliances brand has introduced what it calls India's first Freshness Detection Technology, powered by its proprietary 6th Sense AI, in its premium Luxuriem range of four-door refrigerators. The technology is designed to identify early signs of over-ripening and alert users before their produce starts spoiling. Instead of relying entirely on consumers to check their groceries, the refrigerator monitors changes in freshness levels inside its crisper drawer. Here's everything you need to know about Whirlpool's new AI-powered refrigerators and how the technology works.
How Whirlpool's AI freshness detection technology works
Whirlpool's iFresh Sensor Engine, which uses a sensor built directly into the refrigerator's crisper drawer. It tracks ethylene, a naturally occurring gas released by fruits and vegetables as they ripen.
Powered by 6th Sense AI, the system scans produce inside the drawer every 10 seconds. When it detects an increase in ethylene levels associated with over-ripening, it sends an alert so users can check their fruits and vegetables and decide what needs attention.
The technology is also designed to account for the fact that different types of produce ripen at different rates. Whirlpool says it has worked with food scientists to understand how the system responds to fruits and vegetables commonly consumed across India.
Its Full-Spectrum Produce Detection feature covers both high-ethylene emitters, such as apples, pears, kiwis, avocados and peaches, and low-ethylene emitters, including lettuce, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. A real-time user interface also allows consumers to view the freshness status of their stored produce.
There is an adaptive element, too. When users check their produce after receiving an alert and reset the notification, the system records that feedback. It then uses this information to adjust future alert thresholds according to household preferences.
Whirlpool Luxuriem refrigerators: Price and availability in India
The new technology expands Whirlpool's premium Luxuriem four-door refrigerator portfolio. The expanded range will be available in different premium finishes and three capacities: 645 litres, 651 litres and 654 litres. Prices start at ₹98,000, with the refrigerators set to be available through leading retail stores and online platforms across India.