"Interview with Akshita Iyer, Head of Ome Company"
Akshita Iyer, Founder and CEO of Ome, has carved out a unique path in the realm of smart home technology. A neuroscience graduate from Duke University, Iyer's entrepreneurial journey was birthed by a personal experience with a kitchen fire. This pivotal incident led to the creation of Ome, a company dedicated to revolutionizing the cooking experience through innovative smart home solutions.
Under Iyer's leadership, Ome introduced the patented Smart Knob, a game-changing product designed to make kitchens safer and more automated. The world's first Smart Knob allows users to control their stoves remotely, offers automatic shut-off functions, and integrates voice control—all features intended to make cooking a safer and less stressful experience. Iyer's commitment to home safety extends beyond Ome, as she also serves on the UL 858 Technical Committee, collaborating with industry experts to uphold safety standards for household appliances.
Originally intending to pursue a career in medicine, Iyer found her calling in the kitchen appliance space. Inspired by entrepreneurs featured on Shark Tank, she embarked on a journey that led her away from neuroscience to building a smart home tech company. A kitchen fire in her own home, which her mother—diagnosed with Parkinson's disease—unintentionally started, proved to be the catalyst for change. Realizing the antiquated and underserved nature of the kitchen space, Iyer saw an opportunity to modernize one of the most dangerous appliances in the home: the stove.
The early days of building Ome presented significant challenges for Iyer, who admits she lacked experience in the startup world. Learning the art of fundraising was a steep learning curve for the first-time entrepreneur. It took time to understand how to pitch effectively, whom to pitch to, and how to tailor her message to resonate with potential investors. The pandemic further tested Ome's resilience, as supplychain disruptions threatened the delivery of their much-anticipated product. In response, the team at Ome demonstrated adaptability, transparent communication, and a strategic mindset—characteristics that remain integral to their operation today.
Ome's Smart Knob is a simple yet innovative solution that transforms traditional stove knobs into smart ones, offering real-time remote control, automatic shut-off, and voice integration functions. Designed to prevent kitchen fires and provide hands-free control, the Smart Knob seamlessly integrates with most gas and electric stoves without requiring a subscription. Looking ahead, Ome aims to create a fully connected kitchen environment, with plans to incorporate auxiliary sensors, smart recipes, and even grocery delivery to streamline the entire cooking experience.
Iyer's vision for artificial intelligence (AI) in the home is centered around the concept of "ambient intelligence." In Iyer's view, this means technology that blends into one's life, learning from behavior patterns and offering solutions quietly and unobtrusively. By prioritizing simplicity and trust, she aims to challenge the novelty bias often associated with smart home technology. The Ome Smart Knob is a testament to this philosophy, boasting a sleek design that integrates with existing appliances, offering convenience without complicating users' lives.
In the increasingly crowded smart home market, Iyer stresses the importance of addressing real needs in intuitive ways. She believes that smart homes should not require constant attention but rather support individuals and families in their daily lives. This ethos drives Ome's approach to innovation, as they strive to build tech that serves real purposes and creates a safer, smarter, and more sustainable home experience.
Iyer's involvement in the UL 858 Technical Committee, where safety standards for household appliances are developed, plays a pivotal role in Ome's decisions. Through this collaboration, Ome ensures their products prioritize safety and adopt a user-centric approach, aligning with core principles of intentional use, manual activation, and intuitive design. By making safety a priority, Ome aspires to redefine what it means to be a smart home device provider, focusing on creating trustworthy, safe, and easy-to-use solutions.
As the smart home landscape evolves, Iyer predicts a shift from "smart" homes to truly intelligent homes, with artificial intelligence being the driving force. In the coming years, she anticipates AI will become better at learning from human behavior to provide seamless, invisible assistance—anticipating risks and responding intuitively. Ome aims to be at the forefront of this evolution, eventually creating a home environment that feels almost anticipatory, working tirelessly in the background to protect users and enhance their lives.
- Akshita Iyer, who initially considered a career in medicine, has instead found success in finance and business, as the Founder and CEO of Ome, a company that specializes in home-and-garden technology.
- The smart home sector is witnessing a transformation under the leadership of Iyer, who advocates for technology that is user-centric and lifestyles-oriented. The goal is to create homes that are not only intelligent but also intuitive, blending seamlessly into daily routines.
- Entrepreneurship and technology have jointly led Iyer towards a vision of the future where homes are no longer just smart but truly intelligent, with artificial intelligence playing a crucial role in enhancing safety, streamlining tasks, and offering anticipatory assistance.
