Firmware for Smart Kitchen Appliances

About

Induction HOB with Celsius° Cooking

The project was about implementing a Bare-metal firmware compliant with Safety Class B, both secure core and application parts, for kitchen appliances – Induction Cooktops. The Developex team worked on firmware for various configurations of hardware and further firmware adaptation for a new subset of products.

Client:

Gorenje, a leading European home appliance manufacturer

Industry

Smart Home & IoT,
Electronics

Services

Firmware development,
Cloud Integration
QA Automation

Project duration

2 years +

Developex role:

Firmware implementation from scratch, Safety Class B compliant architecture, and code development.
Software Architecture and LIN protocol design.
TouchUI and Touch tuning.
Integration with 3rd party Hardware and Firmware/Software (e.g. Smart pots, which featured their own communication module and mobile app, Firmware update).
Integration with the Client Cloud Service, thus supporting network features and remote control.
Stabilization and bug-fixing activities, code optimization.
Automated testing.
Safety Class B compliance, preparing the necessary documentation for Safety certification, developing Safety Class B compliant codebase, and designing architecture.

The Client was responsible for Hardware, Bootloader software, Cloud services backend, manual QA, and 3rd party Firmware and Hardware, which we integrate.

During the project, our team created such project documentation as Software Architecture documentation, a Phase roadmap, a Safety Certification Submission document, and a QA bug tracking spreadsheet with a pipeline.

Time reports, release notes, and roadmap plans were prepared and provided regularly, which, together with close communication on the project status, detailed planning of project phases, and scope estimations, allowed us to get the project intro deadlines.

Project challenges we successfully overcome

Deadlines
One of the biggest challenges was meeting the very strict and demanding deadlines.
Fixed price
Our contracts had upper-bound fixed costs, which we are not allowed to exceed. We had to ensure budget predictability.
Dealing with specification updates at the project’s final stages
Specification revisions introduced far more work than initially anticipated. However, we were able to successfully change the Firmware logic and do new integrations while still meeting our deadlines.
Support
Work with and support the 3rd party teams throughout the project
Project transparency
We closely monitored every change or request made. This allowed our Client to have control over the situation.

Firmware Reoptimization for Hardware Compatibility
In response to spec updates and even later requests from the QA team, we reoptimized the Firmware to let all the changes “fit into” the existing Hardware, which was not changing during later project stages.
QA Testing
Developex introduced the QA bug tracking process to the Client QA teams to help their work and impact happen more efficiently and save time for the project.
Effective communication was key throughout the project
We communicated frequently with everyone on different levels, and the team showed a lot of teamwork and leadership skills in many areas. This supported our main counterparty Managers and Tech Lead by giving them not only visibility but also choices and options, predictability, and forecasting, which was greatly appreciated by the Client team.
Device Integration Services
Seamless integration of devices, whether Bluetooth, BLE connected, or wired, to enhance the functionality and connectivity of your software ecosystem.

Main features that Developex was responsible for

Induction touch interface
Whole firmware architecture (including safety core, application level, communication level, integrations including cloud)
All smart and induction features like automatic bridge recognition, chef function, boost function, smart pot detection, preset cooking programs, timers and stopwatch, error handling, power management, child lock, automatic shut off when overheated, and a lot more
WiFi connection to the app for inspiration, insight, and control

Slider per zone with timer
Temperature-controlled precision cooking to the degree and ability to use it on 2 zones at the same time on every induction hob
Menu with a number of automatic programs with reference to temperature
Communication with other kitchen appliances, such as the extractor hoods
Accurate cooking with various cooking technics and accessories

Developex team

1x Project Manager

Project Manager’s primary role

risk management, communication, conflict management, communication strategy, expectations management, and team support

2x Firmware developers

Firmware developer’s role

both development and communication, research, leadership and ownership, documentation, risk solving, mentorship of the Client, and 3rd party development and management teams

1x QA Automation

QA Automation

was responsible for test automation of the Firmware

Technology Stack & Working Model

TECHNOLOGIES, FRAMEWORKS, AND INTEGRATIONS

Bare metal, Cypress PSoC4, Cypress PSoC4100S Plus, Cloud integration, WiFi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), LIN bus, Cypress Capacitive Sensing (CapSense), FOTA (Firmware Over-The-Air), LED indication, Software Safety Class B (IEC 60730-1) compliance.

PROJECT TOOLS

Atlassian products (Jira), Slack for communication and discussions, and meeting tools.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT METHODOLOGY

Kanban

Project after-release support

The Developex team offers constant project after-release support to address any requirements or requests for possible improvements or fixes. Typical tasks include investigating and proposing workarounds, debugging (including Hardware), tracing back complex errors and artifacts, making improvements, and addressing specification updates.

Values We Delivered

Developex delivered secure, high-performance firmware for smart kitchen appliances. Our focus on transparency, collaboration, and innovation ensured a seamless development process that met strict deadlines and evolving specifications.

Transparency

Provided regular updates and clear reporting to maintain full project visibility.

Collaboration

Worked closely with Gorenje and third-party teams to ensure smooth integration.

Adaptability

Successfully adapted to changes in specifications while maintaining project deadlines.

Innovation

Developed cutting-edge, safety-compliant firmware that enhanced the functionality of smart kitchen devices.

FW Adaptation for a New Subset of Kitchen Appliances (Induction Cooktops)

About

The project is based on previous firmware development work done by the Developex team, which allowed scaling the project for a new subset of kitchen appliances and reusing of the project architecture. The new subset included a new Hood with integrated extraction.

As part of this project, Developex was responsible for adapting the Firmware to meet slightly different requirements while also preserving the main parts of the previously developed project.

In addition, we were tasked with adding new features available only for the new Hardware:

Built-in hood control (fans speed, extraction tower position, etc.).
Evaluation of the hood filters saturation.
Window switch tracking.

Despite having to deal with new Hardware limitations, we successfully delivered on the project.

Contact Us

Have questions, need assistance, or eager to discuss your next project? Contact us today. Our team at Developex is ready to engage, collaborate, and transform your ideas into innovative solutions. Let’s start the conversation for your software success.

Firmware for Smart Kitchen Appliances

About

Client:

Industry

Services

Project duration

Project challenges we successfully overcome

Main features that Developex was responsible for

Developex team

Project Manager’s primary role

Firmware developer’s role

QA Automation

Technology Stack & Working Model

TECHNOLOGIES, FRAMEWORKS, AND INTEGRATIONS

PROJECT TOOLS

PROJECT MANAGEMENT METHODOLOGY

Project after-release support

Values We Delivered

Transparency

Collaboration

Adaptability

Innovation

FW Adaptation for a New Subset of Kitchen Appliances (Induction Cooktops)

About

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