Coway, a Korean water purifier-maker, leads in product innovation with the launch of “IoCare” water purifiers.

The new product, unveiled in May, combines the latest technologies in water filtration and treatment, auto sterilization, and the Internet of Things into a compact-size kitchen appliance. 

“The IoCare water purifier is the embodiment of Coway’s prowess in technology and design,” said Park Yong-joo, the Korean firm’s head of marketing.

“We will continue to focus on developing products that meet consumer needs.”

According to him, the product caters to customers who prefer reverse osmosis membrane filters and want their water purifiers to occupy the least space possible.

RO membrane filters eliminate pollutants such as heavy metals, virus and bacteria but come in larger-size purifiers typically, because they need tanks to store purified water until it is needed.

The IoCare purifier, despite boasting the RO filtration system, comes in with a width of just 18.5 centimeters, Park stressed.

The product also features auto sterilization of the entire internal water passage, water tank and faucet using electrolyzed sterilizing water. It serves water at three pre-set degrees at 45, 70 and 85 degrees Celsius.

Io in IoCare comes from Internet of Things, or IoT.

The water purifier has smart features, keeping track of users’ daily water intake and letting them know whether they are drinking enough water and how much more they should drink.

Real-time monitoring of a unit is possible through a mobile phone application, which notifies the user if any malfunction occurs. Coway added that the product is also energy-efficient.