World's First AI Cooking Partner 'Bistro Assistant' Now Compatible with Electric Cooking Pots — Enhanced Plans and New Features Enrich Daily Cooking Experience

Panasonic Corporation (hereinafter 'Panasonic') announces that starting June 2026, it will introduce a free plan for its AI cooking partner 'Bistro Assistant' (※1), refreshing its service into a dual-tier model comprising free and paid plans. The paid plan will be enhanced with new features to deliver a more compelling user experience. Additionally, as an AI-powered conversational cooking support service, it will become the first in the industry (※2) to support integration with the automatic cooking pot 'Auto Cooker Bistro'. 'Bistro Assistant' is a conversational service that leverages generative AI technology to support cooking with the 'Steam Oven Microwave Bistro' via LINE, launched in April 2025. Utilizing Panasonic's proprietary AI—built on over 60 years of accumulated expertise in kitchen appliance control technologies, recipe development know-how focused on home reproducibility, and real-life insights gained from customer support—the service provides real-time assistance for daily cooking challenges such as menu planning and cooking procedures. It further supports the entire cooking journey, from preparation to post-cooking, including feedback on photos of completed dishes. In recent years, with the rise of dual-income households and increasingly diverse lifestyles, daily cooking has evolved into a task to be completed efficiently within limited time. Despite this, challenges such as the burden of menu planning and the lack of a sense of achievement through cooking persist. In response, Panasonic aims to redefine cooking not merely as a chore, but as an 'experience', to deliver richer and more enjoyable meal times. Previously offered only as a paid service, 'Bistro Assistant' will now introduce a 'BASIC Plan' that provides free access to core features such as recipe suggestions and cooking support. This enables more users to easily access the service, reducing cooking-related burdens while fostering new enjoyment and ease in daily cooking through accumulated success experiences. The paid 'PREMIUM Plan' will add new features, including recipe suggestions based on食材 photos taken with a smartphone and side dish recommendations that can be prepared in parallel while the main dish is cooking. These enhancements will broaden support for users from menu planning to cooking execution. The newly supported 'Auto Cooker Bistro' is an automatic cooking pot that allows users to simply add ingredients and let it handle the cooking. Responding to customer feedback and demand, integration with 'Bistro Assistant' will make it easier to select menus based on preferred ingredients and lifestyles, enabling more seamless daily use. Through innovative technology development and application, Panasonic will continue to deliver personalized solutions that enrich individual lifestyles and bring new value and joy to everyday dining tables. Bistro Assistant Service Website (new features to be publicly available on June 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM) https://foodable.jpn.panasonic.com/course/bistro-assist/ ※1 Bistro Assistant is a service for customers using compatible Steam Oven Microwave Bistro and Auto Cooker Bistro models. Usage requires installation of the LINE and KitchenPocket apps (https://panasonic.jp/cooking/app_update.html) on a smartphone and linking a CLUB Panasonic ID. For details, please visit the service website. ※2 First in the domestic electric cooking pot market to offer a generative AI-powered, conversational cooking support service integrated with cooking appliances. As of June 17, 2026 launch, based on Panasonic research. [Service Plans] Two plans are available: - BASIC Plan: Free - PREMIUM Plan: ¥330 per month (tax included) Subscription to the PREMIUM Plan is required via the Bistro Assistant service website. Users currently on the BASIC Plan who have registered their compatible devices in the KitchenPocket app can try the PREMIUM Plan free for 30 days. [Supported Categories and Models] - Steam Oven Microwaves: NE-UBS10E, NE-UBS10D, NE-UBS10C, NE-UBS10A, NE-BS2700, NE-CBS2700, NE-BS2600 - Auto Cooker: NF-AC1000 [Plan Overview] 1. Snap & Suggest Recipes Take a photo of ingredients you want to use with your smartphone and upload it. The AI recognizes the ingredients from the image and suggests suitable recipes. This eliminates the need for manual input, reduces uncertainty about 'what can I make with this?', and makes starting daily cooking more spontaneous and convenient. 2. Use-It-Up Recipes Integrated with vegetable data registered via Panasonic's optional refrigerator AI camera (※3) in 'KitchenPocket', as well as manually registered ingredients, pressing a button in the LINE chat automatically suggests recipes using your available ingredients. This helps users easily find 'what I can cook today' using Bistro appliances efficiently, supports minimizing food waste by using up ingredients deliciously, and contributes to food loss reduction. 3. Quick Side Dish Recipes While the main dish is being cooked in the Steam Oven Microwave or Auto Cooker, the service suggests side dishes that can be prepared without using the same appliance. Pressing the 'Quick Side Dish Recipe' button in LINE suggests up to 10 recommended recipes. Even users unfamiliar with cooking coordination can effortlessly prepare an additional dish during the main cooking time, adding color to the table and enhancing meal satisfaction, even on busy days. 4. Expanded Recipe Suggestions In addition to Bistro's 'Official Recipes', the service now includes 'Curated Recipes' selected for everyday usability, broadening the range of suggested menus. This expands choices beyond staples, allowing users to match daily moods and family preferences, bringing new discoveries and enjoyment to daily meals. Additionally, a bundled service combining the PREMIUM Plan with rental of the latest Steam Oven Microwave Bistro (NE-UBS10E) is available. Registration is required via the Bistro Assistant service website. Monthly fee: ¥4,480 (tax and shipping included, minimum 36-month commitment, option to purchase after term) ※3 Compatible only with select Panasonic refrigerator models. Improper installation on non-compatible models voids operation warranty and is not covered by warranty. For details on the refrigerator AI camera, visit the product site (https://panasonic.jp/reizo/featu