\section{Kitchens}
\label{kitchens}

Kitchens are a rich, compelling and very personal, yet social domain
in which to explore networked systems of things that think.  Within
the Media Lab, projects such as ``Mr. Java''\cite{mrjava} and
``Counter Intelligence'' (CI)\cite{counterintelligence} have begun
\marginpic{ci.ps}{``Counter Intelligence''}
scouting this territory.  In particular, CI, initially developed by
Joseph Kaye, Andy Wheeler, and Niko Matsakis, demonstrated some basic
concepts of an intelligent kitchen through a scripted demo, but was
not actually a functioning prototype.

\par
\pmarginpic{counterandscreen.ps}{The kitchen of the future}
The ``Counter Intelligence'' system ran into the problems of
developing large networked systems of things.  While individual
components worked reasonably well, creating a well integrated,
functional recipe assistant application proved very difficult.
Further, the system design ran into obstacles, as it was not clear
what sensor technology was going to be available.  An underlying
framework for connecting a diverse and possibly changing set of things
that think was needed.

\par

Additionally, controlling all of the devices in a kitchen in a
centralized way is not necessarily possible, and in a practical sense
is undesirable.  The control system for a stove, refrigerator, and
cabinets should be capable of being separate, but communicating,
systems.

\par

Finally, a system that allows for a flexible security
architecture is valuable.  While in a prototype system, security is
not a paramount concern, in an actual networked kitchen, malicious
break-ins to one's appliances can pose a serious threat.  These could
occur if the kitchen network were connected to the Internet at large,
or through intentional or accidental problems with software installed
in the kitchen.  Therefore, some allowance for security is needed.

\par

There has been little scholarly research on networked or
future kitchens in general.  The little work that has been done has
either been commercial development and prototypes, or design oriented
work that does not directly consider the implications of new technology.

\par

In the commercial development category, there are a number of examples
of novel work in the kitchen that have appeared recently.  Ariston
Digital, a division of Merloni, has created a line of home appliances
that network over power lines.  They provide services such as warnings
in case of power failure, telediagnostics, power consumption
management, and through the ``Home Smart Monitor'', recipe access and
Internet connectivity.  Liebherr has developed an inventory tracking
refrigerator.  Electrolux has produced the ``Screen Fridge'', which is
essentially a refrigerator with a laptop attached.  Zanussi has a
set of ``intelligent'' household appliances named ``LIVE-IN''.  In
non-technologically motivated design of a future kitchen, the Rhode
Island School of Design (RISD) has designed the Universal Kitchen
prototype.  None of these systems has yet approached the vision of a
truly networked kitchen.

