Whirlpool Finalist 2008 Contest. Vlab Award Winner., Re-Cycle. Laundry Center Design. Future of water. Options

[fervt88]

So, this is a proyect my partner and I developed for the Whirlpool 2008 Contest and the topic was "Future of Water";
as you know, Mexico is a third world country and we have a lot of problems dealing with the infrastructure of it.
That´s why we developed a Laundry Center, that will certainly help people to save water in our country, but it´s also for the rest of the world.

The laundry Center was inspired from the recycling logo both in form and function, since nowadays this concept has an impact that urges to act in a direct and immediate way, that´s why it´s called Re-Cycle.

The three units may look identical, but one is a washer, one is a dryer, and the third is a water tank and filtration system. By spinning the unit clockwise, water is gravity fed from the tank to the washing machine and vice versa, eliminating the need for a pump which occupies more space, makes noise and is less efficient. Re-Cycle by spinning and gravity, avoids this process. After the washing cycle, the dirty water flows back to the storage tank where it is cleaned and filtered ready to be used again.

Meanwhile the user can use the dryer because although the three volumes form a single piece, each unit acts independently according to its function. Once the process of cleaning and filtration is complete, a touch screen indicates a new washing cycle can be initiated again by spinning the Laundry center and feeding the water back into the washing unit.

Re-Cycle requires to be mounted on the wall surface, for this, it is necessary to count with a wall and to make basic modifications, orifices and connections as normally happens with the installation of any other washing machine or dryer.

Please post comments, all critiques are accepted as well as feedback. As we won the Vlab Award, all the rights are now of Whirlpool but it´s our idea and our design. We will show the video of how it works and the renders and images. We hope you like it! Please comment! =D

Here is the link for youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0XOBb6lAHc

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[grasshoper]

Hi,
I like your renderings.Also, the wow effect of the product(using gravity and using water again and again) is really promising for me. However i want to mention on your design and your presentation in negative ways.
First, the control panel is under the zero level if you compared with the tanks. That can be really big problems about the usage and safety if they are turning from the point of interface(touchscreen). ex: There can be some buttons like reset button under the zero level.
Second, communication is really important point in design. Your presentation language is Spanish. You can translate to in English in a few minutes in order to be understood more better.To sum up, i like the idea and design but we need to think every second which is spent on a project and remember them and our efforts until the production even after the production.

EDIT: In my opinion, video presentation will be a must in near future not only focus on the product but also usage of the products, personas, scenarios...

[newt @ MWE]

I love this concept. It's really an ingenious idea. A great example of re-thinking a product to leave the archetype and really create a unique and market changing product.

As far as the technical side of things (water recycling, distances from motors or centres, mounting), I wouldn't worry too much about venturing away from the norm. Explore technologies that existing machines do not and you may find a better answer. Also, like the concept, think simple rather than complex and I'm sure you can find some technological solutions to the designs issues.

It may be possible to have a manual version for lower income societies. Rather than have the wieght of the water work against you, utilize it's movement from basin to basin to maintain momentum and a kinetic motion. Think hydro generator or drinky bird.

If costs do become an issue, you can throw out ideas like the touch screen and door opening mechanism as these are nice-to-have's but do not have to be there.

I really hope this concept is explored by yourself or Whirlpool as I think this could certaintly be a change in how society percieves a washing machine.......awesome.

newt