Time to celebrate – 
the TM7 is here!

There were 500 colleagues involved in developing the TM7. That’s a lot of people!

Ramona Everything comes together quickly. We worked in cross-functional teams across all divisions of the company.

Jan An innovation of this magnitude required input from almost all Vorwerk teams, including Materials Technology, Construction, Design, Fluid Mechanics and Electrical Engineering, Motor Development, Acoustics, Injection Moulding, Logistics and Recipe Development, to name but a few. Then of course there was also Sales, the Events team and Marketing, not to mention all of the media work.

Julius We have been developing and enhancing our software platforms for many years. As such the TM7 builds on foundations we had already created, and which have been gradually incorporated since the Thermomix® TM5. For us this represents the latest element in our ecosystem of appliances, apps, web platforms, content solutions and cloud architectures. Many teams at many different levels contributed to ensuring that all the technology meshes together to deliver the customer experience.

So how did the collaboration work?

Julius On the software side we have fully integrated management teams at all levels. Product Management, Concept, Coordination, Development and Quality always work closely together. Intensive dialogue among the teams is essential. After all, the holistic digital ecosystem is how we keep the Thermomix® up-to-date in the long term.

Ramona That’s exactly how I see it, too. Our outstanding products and services are based on the expertise and passion of numerous specialist departments. We all pull together until the product is successfully established on the market. It creates a really wonderful sense of togetherness!

What was the source of the many ideas which shaped the change from the TM6 to the TM7?

Julius We always endeavour to stay in frequent communication with our advisors and with customers, using the right channels, and we keep their feedback closely accessible to the teams. What’s more, most of the developers behind a product like the Thermomix® are users themselves – some are even advisors – and that is a decisive advantage. We listen to the wishes of our community and also think outside the box.

Ramona Our teams are continuously improving our digital ecosystem. That of course means we are also monitoring trends and current developments.

What were your main objectives? What was important to you?

Jan I am always thinking about how we can design a product that doesn’t only cook, but also changes how people cook. We wanted to make the cooking experience as simple as possible; every unnecessary click is one too many. And nobody wants to study lengthy instruction manuals these days – operation has to be intuitive.

Ramona Absolutely. That’s why I think it is particularly important that the Thermomix® and Cookidoo® should be an inseparable unit. The TM7 goes further than the TM6. When I switch on the appliance I am greeted by my personalised start screen, with a mix of Cookidoo® and Thermomix® functions displayed rather than a selection of time, temperature and speed settings. The personal preferences of our users are at the core of everything we do.

What has worked particularly well?

Ramona I am really proud of how we have completely overhauled our Guided Cooking feature after so many years. Even though we never received any complaints about it, my team was certain we could make it even better. And now it’s clear that they were right. The TM7 is just even more fun now.

Julius One of our goals was to make the TM7 better than the TM6. A tough mission!

We’ve heard that the product took more than three years to develop. How come?

Jan Because of the enormous complexity, the many tests and adjustments involved and the necessity of producing millions of units. Development begins with design prototypes that form the basis for the Product Initiation Document (PID): comprehensive documentation in which all of the product requirements are specified in detail. Then, new criteria often arise in the course of development – for example, we first developed an improved version of the motor before we could start testing the mixing blade.

What do you think are the most important innovations in the TM7?

Julius The TM7 has a great new design which will function as a platform for the years ahead. One big change is the scalability, in terms of both hardware and software. Thanks to the new Connector, additional functions and accessories can be added later on. The software architecture will also facilitate continuous enhancement of future functions, such as smart assistants and voice control.

Tell us more, please …

Julius It’s a long list. Operation is even more intuitive, the UX design has been improved and the entire user experience has been optimised. You can save your favourite recipes and preferred functions on your personalised start screen.

Ramona Let me pick it up from here. Guided Cooking has been completely overhauled, as have the cooking modes. Day-to-day cooking is now even easier and more fun. And the digital twin function is also a strong addition: the current status of the appliance is shown on the display in real time, meaning you can see if the lid of the mixing bowl has been removed, or if the mixing bowl is hot or an accessory has been attached, for example.

Jan, what do you have to say about it?

Jan I would add that the Thermomix® has been enhanced not just technologically, but also in response to social trends. It needs to offer complex dishes as well as quick and easy meals.

And the design?

Jan The TM7 is a whole new appliance; slimmer and sleeker despite its significantly larger display. It calls to mind a trophy, which is deliberate – a symbol of quality and exclusivity. The mixing bowl is black – because black is the new white – and it has a rippled finish which aids a secure grip while also looking very elegant. So the new design is more than just a colour choice. It reflects a new mindset: how do we create a product that is not just functional, but also makes a statement?

What were the biggest challenges you faced during the design process?

Ramona Every product development is a challenge. When a product on the market is as good as this model’s predecessor was, outdoing it is really difficult.

Julius We need to design our appliances in such a way that they stay up-to-date for longer and can accommodate further development. The TM7 is not intended to be a short-term product. We offer updates and support for our appliances for ten years from market launch. Not many other manufacturers can say that. This long-term perspective is a decisive factor in everything we design.

Jan That’s right. Ultimately the TM7 is about more than just cooking. This appliance not only inspires people, but also helps them to achieve their nutrition goals and makes their everyday lives easier.

Julius Delivering a continuously evolving experience for our customers is at the heart of what we do. We want them to enjoy cooking and experience the appliance as part of their everyday lives. But we are also certain that we want to go a step further.

Jan That’s why the considering the placement of the product within the household was also an important factor. It used to be that the kitchen was a self-contained working area, but today it is often the heart of a living space. So we wanted to design the TM7 to fit seamlessly into that context – a functional, visually appealing appliance that is always close at hand.

Did recipe development take place in parallel the entire time?

Ramona Oh yes, the recipes were conceived to make the best possible use of the benefits the Thermomix® has to offer. Our recipes are not simply recipes: they are software – in other words, our recipes control the Thermomix®. Guaranteed success is very important to us.

Did all of the existing recipes have to be reworked?

Ramona Our international community was not only tasked with developing new recipes for the Varoma® and Open Cooking mode, but also with making 100,000 recipes compatible with the TM7. The new mixing bowl lid and the removal of the selector knob are two fantastic innovations, but they were also critical to our recipes. We had to tweak every recipe to make sure it would work with the new design.

And have you managed it?

Ramona Here’s what I found inspirational: yes, the community achieved this ambitious goal, but what really struck me was the incredible amount of energy and passion that they consistently poured into the project. Their enthusiasm is overwhelmingly infectious.

Julius The new software means the user can adjust the appliance individually. We plan to expand this aspect significantly, rather like a smartphone. While beginners will benefit from the simplicity, cooking pros will be able to prioritise their own recipes and functions.

Are you satisfied with the result?

Jan For the moment, it’s good. After such a major accomplishment, it’s important to take some time out to enjoy the result. But the Thermomix® is a journey that never ends.

Julius We are never really satisfied – constant questioning and further development is in our team’s DNA. We are already working on additional features …

Ramona At the end of the day, we can all be proud if the TM7 is a success. We’re on our way.

Thank you very much for talking to us!