Thermomix TM7: Connected Summer Cooking on NXP’s Edge Platform
Vorwerk and NXP developed the Thermomix TM7 around an integrated edge platform for multimedia, real-time motor control, Wi-Fi 6 and power management. The architecture supports guided cooking, OTA updates and connected use at home or via a smartphone hotspot while travelling.
Connected Cooking for Summer at Home and on the Road
Whether preparing light summer meals at home or cooking during a motorhome trip through Scotland, the Thermomix TM7 combines heating, mixing, blending, steaming, weighing, guided recipes and digital assistance in a single appliance.
The device connects to Vorwerk’s Cookidoo ecosystem over Wi-Fi. When no fixed network is available, the internet connection can also be provided through a smartphone hotspot, keeping recipes and connected functions accessible while travelling.
Behind this user experience is an intelligent edge architecture developed by Vorwerk and NXP. It is designed to run multimedia processing, human-machine interaction, deterministic motor control, wireless connectivity and power management simultaneously.
Four Technology Domains on One Platform
For the TM7, Vorwerk required an architecture capable of supporting several demanding workloads without compromising interface responsiveness or precise cooking control.
The system combines four central technology domains: multi-core application processing, real-time motor control, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and integrated power management. Rather than developing these areas as isolated subsystems, Vorwerk and NXP coordinated them within a single platform.
NXP’s Customer Application Support and Systems Engineering teams worked with Vorwerk from the early architecture phase through product launch. Regular technical workshops, regional application support and on-site engineering accompanied the hardware and software development.
Multimedia Processing for the HMI
Multi-core application processing supports the TM7’s digital interface and multimedia functions. The architecture handles 2D and 3D graphics, H.265 video, audio and voice features on the same processing platform.
These resources provide the technical basis for guided cooking content, a detailed graphical interface and fast user interaction. This is relevant whether the appliance is used for everyday cooking, a summer menu at home or meals prepared while travelling.
A shared board support package preserves software continuity between Thermomix generations. Vorwerk was therefore able to build on more than a decade of existing software development instead of rebuilding the platform for the TM7.
Deterministic Motor Control
A dedicated real-time control core manages the motor functions and power factor correction. Deterministic control supports the high-torque workloads involved in mixing, kneading and processing food.
Vorwerk used NXP’s FreeMASTER motor-control development tools to analyse motor behaviour and tune the system during development. The architecture also supports optional functional safety.
The separation of application processing and real-time control allows multimedia functions and motor workloads to operate within one coordinated system while meeting different timing and performance requirements.
Wi-Fi 6 for Cookidoo and OTA Updates
A compact Wi-Fi 6 module provides the wireless connection required for Cookidoo recipe streaming, over-the-air software updates and Vorwerk’s wider connected ecosystem.
At home, the TM7 can connect through the household Wi-Fi network. During a summer journey, a smartphone hotspot can provide mobile internet access, provided that sufficient network coverage is available.
For manufacturers of connected appliances, the Wi-Fi architecture supports access to digital services without requiring a separate cellular communication module in the appliance.
Integrated Power Management
An integrated NXP power management IC sequences and regulates the platform’s power domains. It supplies the high-performance multimedia subsystem and the motor-control architecture within the compact dimensions of a countertop appliance.
The coordinated architecture helped Vorwerk preserve its existing software foundation, reduce migration risks and accelerate the development of the TM7. For system integrators and embedded solution providers, the project shows the relevance of considering processing, real-time control, connectivity and power management together from the beginning of product development.
Read more at https://www.nxp.com/company/about-nxp/smarter-world-blog/SF-BL-VORWERK-THERMOMIX
Looking to advance your next connected product? Contact NXP to explore scalable technologies, system-level support and development expertise for secure, intelligent edge solutions.