Water heaters are one of the least glamorous types of home appliances. The vertical metal tanks typically sit out of sight in dark corners of basements or behind closet doors. Most homeowners never think about the devices—until there’s no hot water. 

For the last 100 years, dryers, ovens, refrigerators, washing machines and other household appliances have performed the same basic functions, such as keeping food hot or cold and getting clothes wet and dry. But, a new breed of “smart” appliances is emerging, thanks to advanced sensor technology and the Internet of Things (IoT).

FRANKFURT, Germany—Midea Group, a Chinese home appliance manufacturer, wants to acquire Kuka AG for $5 billion.

As household appliance manufacturers continue using thinner sheets of material, engineers must address new challenges and explore alternative joining solutions.

OTTAWA, OH—Whirlpool executives thanked employees at the company’s appliance assembly plant here for their efforts in improving the facility.

GREENVILLE, OH—Whirlpool’s assembly plant here, which produces about 1.5 million Kitchen Aid mixers and blenders annually, is expanding and bringing some jobs from China. The plant has hired 70 people this summer, and plant leaders expect to hire another 50 in about a week.

MEMPHIS, TN—Construction of the new Electrolux appliance factory in Memphis is on schedule, the company’s top U.S. executive said Friday. The first assembly line will start rolling by the end of the first quarter of 2013, and full production will ramp up by the end of 2014.

BENTON HARBOR, MI—Whirlpool is set to officially open its new office campus here. The $70 million project is a part of a larger plan to consolidate 15 facilities into three centralized office campuses.

CLEVELAND, TN—Whirlpool Corp. dedicated its new, $120 million assembly plant here.