laser chef by james novak from australia

The Laser Chef has been inspired by existing technology and social trends, particularly the downloading and sharing of digital music and movies on demand. The Chef synchronises with computer, mobile phone and other Bluetooth® compatible devices, projecting downloaded information or applications onto horizontal or vertical surfaces using a laser. The user can interact with this information due to infrared sensors, perhaps progressing step-by-step through a recipe or making selections form a restaurant menu.

The aim has been to achieve for the food industry, both home and commercial, the same environmental benefits that MP3 players and iPod’s have had for the entertainment industry; digital music does not use finite plastic and metal resources like CD’s, and it can simply be deleted from memory at the end of its life, not thrown into landfill.

Similarly, the Laser Chef means households no longer need to rely on magazines and cook-books in the kitchen; their fine-print is difficult to read whilst performing tasks, and they continue to contribute to deforestation, particularly magazines which are only made using virgin paper. A simple application can be downloaded to computer or phone, allowing your favourite recipes to be downloaded as needed and displayed with the Laser Chef in high contrast.

The form of the chef has evolved from ergonomic considerations combined with an understanding of the proposed ‘tech-savvy’ market of 16-30 year olds, where pop-culture style combined with consumer lifestyles are typical traits. For this group, entertaining and being entertained are important parts of daily life, and the kitchen and art of cooking has become a spectacle enjoyed both at home and in restaurants. The Laser Chef meets these needs, acting like a game and conversation piece to be enjoyed alone or with friends. The bulbous hat allows easy pick-up with only 2 fingers, perfect when they are dirty from cooking, and the bum allows the chef to securely lay on its back and project onto a vertical surface.

A thermochromic concentrate is added to the HDPE outer shell of the chef, encouraging the user to touch the curvaceous form as it changes colours and responds to the kitchen environment. This material, while not the most environmentally sustainable, is extremely durable and long-lasting, ensuring a quality product that will last many years, thus justifying its environmental impact.

Ultimately the Laser Chef is an entertainer, a teacher and a companion.