The appliances of the future?

Ever wondered what the kitchens of the future would look like? The 2009 Electrolux Design Lab contest asked designers just that, asking them to send in their home appliance ideas for the next 90 years.

The winning concept, designed by Sweden's Rickard Hederstierna, is a "fish and meat maker."

Cocoon would essentially "create" meat and fish from a pre-packaged sachets using radio frequency identification (RFID) signals - which the program describes as similar to making popcorn in a microwave.

How that works exactly isn't entirely clear, but for more details you can watch the YouTube video. The jury said Cocoon was imagined to help ease the environmental burden of intensive farming and fishing.

And, it's awfully pretty - or in their words: "An inviting, tactile design, the Cocoon resembles a gemstone with a metal accent reflecting the heritage of the Swedish art-glass industry. Cocoon meets all of the brief's criteria: it is daring, cutting edge and truly innovative in its focus on social and environmental issues."

Hederstierna wins approximately $8,000 CDN and a six-month paid internship at one of Electrolux's design centres.

Runners up included flying rain catcher and water purifier "Water Catcher", "Renew" a smart steamer, and the "Teleport Fridge" which teleports food.

What do you think? Could these kinds of items really be in our kitchens within the next century? And, for a kitchen that's more of our own time, check out this stylish, hardworking family hub.