WMF Professional Coffee Machines explores the future of espresso technology

Latte Art Champion and WMF Brand Ambassador Daniel Gerlach (left) | Photo credit: WMF

Espresso machine technology has come a long way in the last decade. Today’s espresso machines offer more customisation options than ever before, from adjustable grind settings and customisable brew ratios to the ability to process different types and styles of coffee – and even advanced automation.  
 

Axel Fähnle, Head of Marketing at WMF Professional Coffee Machines, points to the WMF espresso NEXT as an example. Like a traditional portafilter, the machine provides users with maximum freedom to create individual creations. At the same time, it is equipped with Dynamic Coffee Assist, a system technology that helps baristas and professional caterers maintain consistently high coffee quality.   

It’s automatic features like these that are reshaping the future of machine technology by reducing the time and effort required by baristas. Some of these, such as temperature control, flow profiling, soft infusion and, importantly, energy-saving features, are now standard in today’s technology. But the next step into the future of espresso technology is just around the corner.  

“We are starting to see the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) in espresso machine technology become more prominent,” said Fähnle.  

By integrating AI and IoT, machines can learn their users’ preferences and even predict their own maintenance needs. In turn, advanced automation ensures that every cup of espresso is brewed with the same precision. It also streamlines the coffee-making process, which is particularly beneficial for high-volume coffee operations where speed and efficiency are critical.  

“The WMF espresso NEXT already reduces the manual preparation steps for a cappuccino by up to 40% compared to conventional portafilter machines. This allows baristas to spend more time engaging with customers, resulting in significantly shorter waiting times, increased sales and happier customers,” Fähnle adds. 

Beyond AI and automation, design trends are also evolving. As urban living spaces become smaller, the demand for more compact and efficient machines increases. For WMF, the trend is therefore towards sleek, minimalist aesthetics with clean lines and intuitive interfaces, as well as sustainable and recyclable materials.  

Find out more about the WMF espresso NEXT