Let your oven do the cooking with LineCook (pictures)
GE's LineCook lets you scan the barcodes of prepackaged food. It will then automatically set the time and temperature you need to properly prepare it.
The LineCook takes the next step toward hands-free cooking. By scanning the barcodes of your prepackaged meal, it can set the time and temp itself and guide you through every step. Click through to find out more.
The technology is still being developed at GE's FirstBuild factory in Louisville, Ky. Here's the oven they're using to test the prototype.
Hopefully, they don't need to use these buttons too often, since LineCook should handle the settings on its own.
Here's the actual barcode scanner. It can also scan QPC and QR codes.
Scan your food and put it in.
The oven will set the time and temp necessary to prepare your food.
FirstBuild plans to release the technology to a limited number of parties for a beta test, which will help it expand its database of foods and preferences.
Hopefully, LineCook will eventually be able to program a recipe, and respond to user preferences -- giving your pizza a soft or crispy crust, for instance.
GE might also want to use this technology, once it is fully developed, on a number of its ovens and ranges.
The LineCook technology from FirstBuild needs a lot of work to reach its potential, but could be a significant part of the connected kitchen once it gets there.