Sage Appliances has introduced a new toaster that deviates from conventional timed toasting, opting instead to use color as its primary indicator for toast shade. The "Eye Q Auto Toaster" is priced at £349.95 for a four-slice model and £249.95 for a two-slice version.
The device features an optical sensor that monitors the toast up to ten times per second. It employs dual-wavelength green and infrared LEDs to detect the color of the bread. Once the user-selected shade is achieved, the toaster automatically ceases the toasting process. This technological advancement, according to Tom Groundes-Peace, Senior Global Category Manager & Head of Research at Sage Appliances, took approximately a decade to develop.
"Teaching a sensor to read colour instead of time, accurately enough to trust with someone's breakfast, took the better part of a decade to get right," Groundes-Peace stated. "This is the first time I've felt like we've actually solved toast, rather than just timed it."
Beyond its color-sensing capability, the Eye Q Auto Toaster offers specialized modes. A Sourdough Mode adjusts for thicker crusts and denser interiors, while a "Bit More" function allows for additional browning. The appliance also includes a Crumpet Mode, designed to toast one side more than the other, and a Timer Mode for manual settings when warming other items. Other features include a Clearway Cavity for crumb collection and a non-stick ceramic-coated top.
Doug Nash, Sage Appliances' Global Product Officer, commented on the innovation. "Until now, every toaster, no matter the brand or price, has relied on timed heating, which is why toast can turn out uneven, inconsistent, or burnt," Nash said. "The Eye Q Auto Toaster is a breakthrough that fundamentally changes what's possible in toasting."