How Akshita Iyer is Revolutionizing Kitchen Safety with Ome's Smart Knob

From Neuroscience to Smart Home Innovation

Akshita Iyer, a neuroscience graduate from Duke University, embarked on an unexpected entrepreneurial journey after a personal incident involving a kitchen fire. This event inspired her to found Ome, a company dedicated to transforming the cooking experience through smart home technology. Despite her initial path toward medicine, her passion shifted toward creating practical solutions for kitchen safety.

The Birth of Ome and Its Smart Knob

Ome developed the world’s first Smart Knob, a patented device that replaces traditional stove knobs. Compatible with most gas and electric stoves, it offers real-time remote control, automatic shut-off, and voice integration, significantly enhancing kitchen safety and convenience. The device requires no subscription, making it accessible and user-friendly.

Overcoming Early Challenges

Transitioning from neuroscience to tech entrepreneurship presented challenges, especially in fundraising and supply chain management during the pandemic. Iyer learned to tailor pitches to investors and maintained transparency with customers while navigating production issues. These experiences strengthened Ome's operational resilience.

Unique Features and Vision

Ome’s Smart Knob addresses the critical issue of unattended cooking, a leading cause of house fires. Features include automatic shut-off, safety locks, built-in timers, and hands-free voice control via Amazon Alexa. Beyond individual users, Ome provides a centralized dashboard for property managers to monitor stove activity remotely, enhancing safety in multi-unit dwellings.

Ambient Intelligence: The Future of Smart Homes

Iyer emphasizes "ambient intelligence," where technology seamlessly integrates into daily life, operating quietly in the background and intervening only when necessary. This approach contrasts with app-centric smart devices that require constant user interaction. Ome aims to anticipate risks and act proactively to protect users.

Commitment to Safety and Simplicity

As a member of the UL 858 Technical Committee, Iyer contributes to safety standards for household appliances. Ome’s design prioritizes intentional use, requiring manual activation and disallowing remote start to ensure user control and safety. The product’s simplicity and natural feel have garnered positive user feedback.

Retrofit Solution for Accessibility and Sustainability

Ome’s retrofit design allows users to upgrade existing stoves quickly and affordably without replacing appliances. This approach promotes sustainability by extending appliance lifespan and reducing waste, challenging the trend of frequent replacements in modern devices.

The Future of AI in Smart Homes

Looking ahead, Iyer predicts a shift from "smart" to truly intelligent homes powered by AI that learns from user behavior and acts autonomously to enhance safety and convenience. The focus will move away from gimmicks toward meaningful, purpose-driven innovation centered on safety, accessibility, and sustainability.

Conclusion

Akshita Iyer’s journey and Ome’s innovations highlight the potential for technology to make kitchens safer and smarter without complexity. Ome’s Smart Knob offers a practical, trustworthy solution that integrates ambient intelligence with real-world needs.