The ‘Evolution of Senses’ kitchen at the Nobilia in-house exhibition in Verl.

Automotive tyre manufacturer Continental and kitchen specialist Nobilia have developed a joint innovation project that made its debut at an international trade visitors’ event at the German kitchen manufacturer’s in-house exhibition in Verl.

Continental’s group sector, ContiTech, contributed its long-standing expertise in material development and surface technology from the automotive interior and furniture industries, creating new impulses for the kitchen as a modern living space.

As Europe’s largest kitchen manufacturer, Nobilia offers versatile furniture solutions for living rooms and dining areas, to kitchens and bathrooms.

Under the tagline ‘Evolution of Senses: Feel, Connect, Inspire’, the jointly developed concept kitchen demonstrated how comfort, safety and design can be re-imagined through functional materials and technologies.

The potential of surface technology was also evident in the kitchen niche, where a screen was integrated behind a translucent wood-look decorative film, remaining invisible when switched off and only appearing when activated.

A key foundation for this is provided by ContiTech’s translucent surface solutions which, thanks to their light permeability and integration of printed electronics, enable entirely new functionalities.

These surfaces form the technological foundation for applications such as wireless smartphone charging, heating and cooling zones for keeping food and drinks warm or cold, and touch control panels – all of which remain invisible when not in use and only appear when activated on the countertop.

The artificial leather Skai Evida Fiber used on the chairs in the concept kitchen consists of over 90% bio-based and renewable raw materials, such as organic cotton, which serves as the backing fabric and is grown according to certified ecological standards.

“The collaboration with Continental is a real game-changer. It enables us to create intuitive surfaces that respond to the user while at the same time preserving the elegant design of modern kitchens,” said Florian Degenhardt, Head of Innovation at Nobilia.

What started as cutting-edge automotive technology at Continental’s automotive group sector has been re-imagined for everyday living in kitchens. These smart artificial intelligence features can recognise food, recommend recipes, and provide detailed nutritional insights.

They even help keep families safe by warning when water is boiling or alerting them to objects that may be dangerous for children.

Some of the materials and technologies used are already production-ready, while others are still at the prototype stage. However, they provide a concrete preview of future applications and design possibilities for home spaces.

“For many decades, our materials and technologies have shaped modern living spaces – from vehicle interiors to home furniture. With this concept kitchen, we’re showing how our expertise can be transferred to new requirements: for greater functionality, user-oriented design and technology in everyday life,” said Ralf Imbery, head of Design, Marketing and Strategy for Continental’s global surface materials business.

“For us, cooperation projects of this kind are an important strategic tool that allow us to test innovations at an early stage and, together with partners, develop new perspectives for future living environments.”

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