What is Brava by Zac Selmon

Closing The Gap Solutions e-Magazine, August / Sept 2024 Volume 43 - Number 3

Instruction, literacy and inclusion

What is

"The Brava allows people of all ages and abilities to participate in meal preparation more inde- pendently and safely. There are many features of the Brava that help people feel more confident (and safe), which allows them to cook more often!" Rachel McCall Occupational Therapist Proven Assistive Technology

Brava enables people of all abilities cook safely and independently at home.

Food plays a central role in the human experience, sustain- ing us physically while enriching our emotional well-being and strengthening social connections. Home-cooked meals, craft- ed with fresh ingredients and personal care, not only provide essential nutrition but also foster a sense of pride and accom- plishment. However, many individuals face significant barriers to cooking at home, such as time constraints and lack of con- fidence in culinary skills. These obstacles often steer people towards less nutritious and more expensive alternatives like takeout. For individuals with intellectual and physical disabili- ties, these challenges can escalate to the point where cooking at home isn't just difficult—it can be inherently risky and unsafe. The Brava Smart Oven, launched in 2018, aims to revolution- ize home cooking by making it faster, easier, and more enjoy- able. With features like guided recipes, automated cooking, no preheating, and automatic shutoff, Brava dramatically reduces

5 Benefits of Brava. https://player.vimeo.com/video/589497421

ZAC SELMON , A creative writing major turned product manager, Zac has spent the last 20 years working at the intersection of digital content communities and emerging technology. As the Head of Product for Brava, he brings that experience to the kitchen, with a smart oven that makes cooking at home faster, easier, and more delicious than ever. He enjoys spicy foods, tricking his kids into believing that he has magical powers, and using AI to perform uncomfortable tasks like writing about himself. Zac Selmon - LinkedIn Profile

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the barriers to home cooking. These features are particularly beneficial for users of assistive technology (AT), for whom these challenges are often magnified. HOW DOES IT WORK? Whereas traditional ovens use heating elements to gradually store energy in the chamber walls and air, Brava cooks with light. Using six special lamps—three on the top and three on the bot- tom—Brava focuses all of its energy directly into the food, like a spotlight, rather than into the chamber walls. This innovative approach provides several unique cooking benefits: 1. Increased Cooking Power: While most ovens top out at 500 degrees, Brava can reach an effective cooking power equivalent to a 900-degree pizza oven. This allows it to perform tasks typically reserved for grills or stovetops. The extra power also allows Brava to cook most meals 2-4x faster than a traditional oven. 1. Instant Full Power: The lamps reach full cooking power in just under a second, eliminating the need for preheat- ing. Additionally, since the entire chamber doesn’t heat up, the food stops cooking immediately when the lamps shut off. 1. Multi-Zone Cooking: Brava can cook independently in three different zones, allowing users to prepare steak, potatoes, and broccoli simultaneously, with each item cooking to perfection. 1. Safety: Brava’s exterior remains cool to the touch, pre- venting burns from accidental contact. The automatic shutoff feature stops cooking when the recipe is com- plete, mitigating risks of overcooking or fire hazards. Bra- va’s system fully automates the cooking process without the need for flipping or stirring, reducing potential burn risks from interacting with hot pans and open flames. The lamps will also automatically shut off whenever the door is open.

Brava's homescreen showing a list of options

Brava’s unique versatility means that it is powerful enough to sear a steak and delicate enough to poach eggs. Frozen foods and reheated leftovers are cooked almost as fast as in a micro- wave, but with the crisping and quality of an oven. The automat- ed recipes ensure consistently delicious results, with minimal user interaction. Brava achieves these capabilities through sophisticated soft- ware, with over 8,500 chef-crafted recipes built into the device. The touch screen allows users to browse the recipe library and select their preferences. Users are then presented with guided instructions on how to prepare their ingredients and assemble them on the tray. Once the tray is placed in the cold oven, the user simply presses a button, and the oven does the rest. An in- ternal camera displays the food on the screen while cooking and streams it to a mobile app. The app can pause cooking remotely and send notifications when cooking starts or completes. In addition to the built-in recipes, Brava also offers traditional manual modes like toast, bake, air fry, sear(broil), slow cook, and dehydrate, so users can still enjoy their favorite family recipes. The custom cook feature lets users save their own recipes for future use with the push of a button, and they can share their creations with friends or the community. APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY While the convenience of quick, easy, and delicious meals benefits everyone, it is particularly impactful for many AT users. Safety is a primary concern. Traditional ovens and stovetops pose

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PROVEN BEHAVIOR SOLUTIONS

100 clients with a variety of use cases: The key benefits they’ve seen for their clients start with the safety features. Many of their clients are afraid of cooking with ovens or stove tops, and the cool-to-touch exterior, automatic shut off, automated no-flip cooking, and remote monitoring features, help reduce anxiety and instill the confidence to try cooking for themselves. The quick learning curve, with guided recipes and training videos, and the recipe discovery and fa- vorites features, make the process more fun than frustrating so they stick with it. And the consistent, delicious results keep them coming back for more. One individual we placed a Brava with is a self-described ‘picky eater’ who had eaten nothing but frozen french fries and chicken nuggets for years. Due to safety concerns, he had been • Automatic shutoff • Cool to the touch • Remote monitoring • Pre-programmed recipes • Good for individuals who are afraid of cooking with gas stove Great for Picky Eaters • Traditional cooking methods are difficult and require skill • Brava makes it easy to participate in meal prep without the dangers of traditional cooking • When individuals participate in meal prep they are more likely to try new foods • Consistency of cooking results keeps individuals coming back to cook more • Favorites section makes recipe discovery simple and easy • Photos, videos and illustrations helpful for visual learners Safety Features Improve Confidence

Brava placed with 80+ AT users in Massachusetts • Assessment and recommendation from OT/PT • All 6 AT providers have Bravas in lending libraries Use Cases • Autism

• Executive function difficulties • Range of functional motor skills

significant fire and burn risks, especially for individuals who may forget to turn them off. Brava's design keeps the exterior cool to the touch, and the oven shuts off automatically when cooking is complete. Caregivers can remotely monitor and control the oven via the app, allowing them to give feedback and support the cooking process while also providing additional peace of mind. For individuals with executive functioning issues or those who struggle with safety awareness, Brava's guided recipe in- structions and automated processes reduce anxiety and provide confidence. Elderly individuals aging in place and people with physical limitations who find it difficult or dangerous to stand over a stove or reach into a hot oven will find Brava a safe al- ternative, without sacrificing quality. Busy caregivers can also benefit from the reduced need for constant supervision, freeing up their hands and minds to focus on care rather than cooking. CASE STUDY: MASSACHUSETTS Proven Behavior Solutions is an ABA and OT Provider in Mas- sachusetts with a particular focus on improving the lives of in- dividuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. As a qualified AT pro- vider for the Massachusetts DDS Assistive Technology program, they perform Assistive Technology assessments, training, and ongoing support for individuals with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities, to leverage new technologies to live more independently. In late 2023, Proven Behavior Solutions be- gan recommending Brava to clients looking to have more con- trol over their diet, and have already placed Bravas with nearly • Blind, deaf, visual/hearing impaired • Physical and/or cognitive impairments • Literacy skills deficits • Individuals in modified environments (ADU, in-law apartments, etc.) • Easy to use for caregivers Quick Learning Curve • Supported by training videos and tutorials for filling the tray, using the TempSensor, cleaning, etc.

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microwaving them, resulting in soggy fries and mushy nuggets. With Brava, he can now use an automated recipe program to make his fries and nuggets simultaneously, and they turn out better and crispier than ever. The best part is that his newfound excitement and confidence in the kitchen, along with some en- couragement from his occupational therapist, have inspired him to expand his menu. He recently tried new foods like pancakes for the first time in years. Brava continues to work closely with Proven Behavior Solu- tions, providing ongoing training and support for their occu- pational therapists (OTs) and assistive technology professionals (ATPs). This collaborative relationship fosters creative solutions tailored to each individual's unique needs. The valuable feed- back received from this partnership drives the development of new features and improvements, enabling Brava to better sup- port a broader range of users. WHAT’S NEXT Since delving into the world of assistive technology (AT) and engaging with the community, it quickly became evident that the Brava's touch screen was the least accessible aspect of the device. In response, we have spent the past year rebuilding our

backend to integrate full control of the oven into our mobile app, complete with VoiceOver and TalkBack compatibility. This enhancement, launching later this summer, will provide accessi- bility for individuals with blindness or low vision and those who have difficulty with the ergonomics of the touch screen. We are working with AT agencies in California and Texas on ways to provide remote support for clients spread over large dis- tances, reducing the need for in-home visits. We’re in talks with assisted living facilities to integrate with their dining programs to alleviate staffing shortages and provide mealtime flexibility. And we are experimenting with AI to offer conversational oven control, generative recipes, and instructional guides. Recognizing that every individual faces their own unique challenges, we aim to develop a series of modular toolsets that can be customized and used together to accommodate as many needs as possible. By continuously engaging with users and working closely with OTs, PTs, and ATPs, we strive to add new features and enhance the existing experience. Our goal is to help as many people as possible enjoy the benefits of cooking, because everyone deserves a delicious home-cooked meal.

Cook with a Symphony of Light. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr4SHc3A_Fg

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How to use Brava's new Wireless TempSensor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-dwwU6o-bs

For more information, you can visit our website at www.bra- va.com. If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas, please feel free to reach out to me at zac@brava.com. PRODUCT INFORMATION Brava stands 11.3 inches tall, 16.4 inches wide and 17.3 inches deep. It has a brushed aluminum exterior and stainless steel in- terior chamber. Brava runs off a standard 120 Volt power outlet on a 20 AMP circuit breaker. We recommend a dedicated circuit, but just don’t run another appliance on the same circuit while the Brava is in use. Brava can be placed wherever is convenient and does not need any special ventilation. The lamps in the Bra- va are rated to 10s of thousands of hours of use, but are user replaceable in the event that they are accidentally broken. The Brava accessory trays are made from a ceramic coated aluminum and are nonstick and dishwasher safe. Brava’s retail price starts at $1,295, and comes with a glass tray, metal tray, and the wired TempSensor. The egg tray, square pan, loaf pan, muffin tin, chef’s pan, and wireless temp sensor are available in bundled options for an additional price. Acces- sories can also be purchased individually.

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