Germany

Berlin – September 10, 2026 -- Haier unveiled an AI-powered smart home ecosystem at IFA 2026, showing connected appliances that adjust laundry cycles, food storage, cooking and entertainment settings based on real-time household behavior.

The Vision 15 washer reads laundry loads through an internal camera

Sensors and algorithms detect load size, balance and foam levels, then automatically adjust water volume, detergent dosing, drum movement and program settings.

A refrigeration prototype called Maestro tracks food freshness

Its AI Food Care System 2.0 identifies stored items and recommends storage conditions to help users manage food more effectively.

The ID Ultimate Series 6 oven ends cooking cycles automatically

An internal camera recognizes the dish being prepared, monitors cooking progress, and stops the program once the expected result is reached.

Berlin – September 10, 2026 -- Changhong showcased a new lineup of AI-powered home appliances at IFA 2026, including televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, and laundry machines designed to simplify daily routines through smarter, more intuitive technology.

The Q60S Pro TV turns screen time into a shared sports experience

The television features the Changhong LeDong AI sports platform, which converts the set from a passive viewing screen into an interactive hub for family sports engagement.

Sensors let air conditioners and refrigerators anticipate household needs

An AI-equipped air conditioner detects human presence, recognizing user location and habits to automatically adjust airflow. A companion AI refrigerator uses smart sensors to help users manage food storage more proactively, aiming to reduce complexity rather than add to it.

Berlin – September 10, 2026 -- Haier showcased an AI-driven smart home ecosystem at IFA 2026 in Berlin, covering laundry, food preservation, cooking, entertainment and robotics under the theme "Home of Smart Possibilities."

The Vision 15 washing machine adjusts its own settings mid-cycle

Using an internal camera, sensors and algorithms, the Vision 15 detects laundry load, balance and foam levels, then automatically adjusts water amount, detergent dosing, drum movement and program settings.

A prototype fridge reads what food is stored inside it

The Maestro prototype combines several preservation technologies with an AI Food Care System 2.0 that identifies stored ingredients and recommends storage conditions to help users manage food more efficiently.

Berlin -- September 7, 2026 -- Tuya Smart introduced Doova, an AI companion robot designed for seniors living independently, at IFA 2026 in Berlin.

Doova responds to a spoken call for help within seconds

The robot uses LDS-LiDAR, a four-microphone sound-localization system, and AI skeleton-recognition algorithms to detect falls or emergencies. If a user says "Hey Tuya, help," Doova locates them, moves to their position, and assesses the situation in real time. If there is no response within 60 seconds, it automatically triggers an emergency workflow, sending family members a two-way live video alert so help can be arranged immediately.

Berlin – September 10, 2026 -- Hisense showcased its AI Companion suite at IFA 2026 in Berlin, demonstrating how connected AI, powered by ConnectLife, can automate kitchen, laundry and living room tasks.

A smart fridge starts the cooking process

In the kitchen demo, asking 'What should I cook?' prompts the smart refrigerator to identify stored ingredients and suggest meal ideas based on personal preferences. Once a recipe is chosen, it syncs with the AI Companion Oven for automatic cooking, while the AI Companion Wine Cabinet recommends pairings and maintains proper storage conditions. After the meal, the AI Companion Dishwasher reads the state of the dishes and adjusts the wash cycle accordingly.

Laundry cycles adjust automatically to fabric type

The AI Companion Laundry Suite recognizes clothing characteristics and selects the appropriate wash and dry cycles, adjusting the process automatically for a hands-off laundry experience.

Berlin – September 09, 2026 -- Midea has launched a built-in oven from its SpaceMaster series that reaches 350°C, a temperature rarely found in household appliances and typically reserved for professional pizzerias.

Most home ovens cap out at 250°C, too low for authentic pizza crust

Standard ovens max out around 250°C, sufficient for a casserole but not for the bubbled, leopard-spotted crust that defines great pizza. Achieving that texture has traditionally required a backyard brick oven or a delivery order.

The oven pairs 350°C heat with a built-in pizza stone

The SpaceMaster oven combines its high heat with an integrated pizza stone designed to absorb and transfer warmth directly to the dough, mimicking the baking surface of a traditional brick oven. Midea states the result is a pizza that goes from raw dough to pizzeria-quality in under three minutes, without becoming soggy or drying out.

Munich – September 09, 2026 -- German public broadcaster ARD will air a new episode of the talk show "maischberger" on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 10:50 p.m. on Das Erste.

Bavarian Premier Söder Sits Down to Discuss State Election Results

Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder (CSU) will appear in the studio to discuss the outcome of the Saxony-Anhalt state election and its potential impact on the federal government in Berlin.

Entrepreneur Maschmeyer Weighs In on the German Economy

Businessman Carsten Maschmeyer joins the program to address the state of the German economy and what reforms he believes are necessary.

Journalists and a Correspondent Round Out the Panel

Commentary will come from journalist and podcaster Robin Alexander, ARD Hauptstadtstudio correspondent Iris Sayram, and journalist Sergej Lochthofen.

Hamburg – September 09, 2026 -- Heineken 0.0 is expanding its alcohol-free lineup with two new flavors, Lime Lemongrass and Nectarine Juniper, now available in 330 ml cans at Kaufland for a recommended price of 1.20 euros.

Two new flavor profiles target conscious drinkers

Lime Lemongrass pairs tangy lime with spicy lemongrass notes, while Nectarine Juniper combines juicy nectarine with a subtle floral and herbal juniper accent. Both recipes contain 1.2 grams of sugar and 19 kcal per 100 ml, using only natural ingredients, according to the company.

Heineken positions the new drinks as an alternative to classic radler and reduced-sugar soft drinks, aimed at consumers who want flavor and a branded drinking experience without alcohol.

Berlin – September 09, 2026 -- Hisense showcased its new AI Companion Suite at IFA 2026 in Berlin, a set of connected smart-home features designed to automate cooking, laundry, and energy use through its ConnectLife platform.

An AI fridge suggests meals based on stored ingredients

Asking "What should I cook?" triggers the system: an AI-equipped refrigerator scans stored ingredients and proposes recipes based on personal preferences. Selected recipes can sync automatically with the AI Companion Oven, while the AI Companion Wine cellar recommends food pairings and maintains optimal storage conditions. After the meal, an AI dishwasher detects dish soiling levels and adjusts its wash cycle accordingly.

Cologne – September 09, 2026 -- "Die große Maus-Show" celebrates its 20th anniversary with a special edition airing Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 8:15 p.m. on Das Erste.

Host Esther Sedlaczek leads the anniversary broadcast under the theme "Kids Ask, Adults Marvel," featuring a lineup of quiz questions, experiments, and celebrity guests. The show began two decades ago under the title "Frag doch mal die Maus" as a one-off special before becoming a fixture of Saturday night programming on Das Erste.

Six celebrities join the jubilee lineup

Guests for the anniversary episode include Annette Frier, Wincent Weiss, Klaas Heufer-Umlauf, Axel Prahl, Beatrice Egli, and Till Reiners.