Ome Launches Next-Generation Smart Knob to Support Aging In Place

The retrofit smart device is the only one on the market to address the #1 cause of house fires in the US — unattended cooking — through proactive automation.

ATLANTA, GA, September 17, 2024 – Ome, a leader in smart kitchen technology, today announced its next-generation Ome Smart Knob, a proprietary retrofit device capable of turning any gas or electric stove into a smart appliance in minutes, simply by replacing its existing knobs. 

As the trend towards aging in place gains momentum, the need for innovative solutions to ensure the safety and independence of older adults has never been more pressing. 

Over 14 million older adults in the US live alone and 90% wish to remain in their own homes as they age. Many assistive devices already exist to support them on this path — from wearable health monitors and fall detection systems to smart home systems that control home lighting, temperature, and security. But there is a big gap in kitchen safety. 

Ome’s Smart Knob is designed to fill this gap and address the most critical, unsolved safety concern in the home: unattended cooking — the #1 cause of house fires and a danger that disproportionately affects older adults.

The Smart Knob offers a simple and affordable, yet powerful solution. By retrofitting existing stove knobs with Ome’s technology, older adults benefit from advanced safety features without the need for new appliances or expensive kitchen overhauls. Benefits include an automatic shut-off function for unattended cooking, real-time alerts, remote burner control and monitoring, and automated cooking timers.

Founder and CEO Akshita Iyer was inspired to create Ome following an incident where her mother accidentally left the stove on, leading to a kitchen fire. After extensive development and an appearance on Shark Tank, Iyer and her team launched the first Ome Smart Knob in 2021. 

"Over the last few years, we have collected invaluable feedback from our customers and made significant enhancements to our solution," Iyer said. "We are thrilled to now launch our next-gen Smart Knob with improved design, broader compatibility, upgraded features, and an even easier installation process."

Besides selling directly to consumers, Ome is also introducing the Smart Knob in senior living communities to further serve the aging population, their families, and caregivers.

“Our system not only mitigates cooking hazards but also offers a comprehensive dashboard that enables caregivers and operators to monitor and proactively control all major appliances through a single interface," Iyer added.

"We also found that adults who have an older parent while also raising a child — the sandwich generation — are buying our solution for themselves and their parents. Alerting them about unusual cooking behavior or when the stove was left on, the Smart Knob provides reassurance and peace of mind that their loved ones are safe.”

Ome’s goal is to not only save lives by preventing cooking incidents and minimize the financial impact of damages, but also promote positive cooking behaviors that contribute to optimal health and well-being at any age.

About Ome

Ome is a technology company that builds smart solutions for safer homes. Founded with the mission of enhancing kitchen safety first, the company's flagship product is the Ome Smart Knob: a proprietary, retrofit device that turns any gas or electric stove into a smart appliance in minutes, simply by replacing its existing knobs. Its benefits include automatic shut-off for unattended cooking, remote control and monitoring of burners, real-time alerts, automated cooking timers, and safety locks — providing peace of mind for consumers. With applications in various markets, from parents and seniors aging in place to multi-unit buildings, Ome creates safer homes for all.

For more information and to purchase the Ome Smart Knob, visit www.omekitchen.com. 

###