Whirlpool Says Broad CES Launch to Focus on Simplicity, Cost Savings

Consumers are looking for easy-to-understand and practical smart features, said a Thursday Whirlpool study. The survey of more than 2,000 homeowners and renters in four global regions said 72 percent of consumers want simpler, faster ways to manage their lives, and more than half feel that cooking (52 percent) and doing laundry (58 percent) take up more time than they would like. Consumers are very interested in smart appliances that manage water usage, said the study. Three-fourths of respondents indicated interest in smart appliance features that reduce food waste, and 64 percent said it was important for appliances to help save on electricity costs. Whirlpool plans to introduce more than 20 products and services at CES.