Rideable Vacuum Cleaner for Adults and Children

Have you ever imagine a rideable vacuum cleaner? Kristina Andersson has! She designs a vacuum cleaner that not only attracts and addresses adults, or rather parents, but also their children. The children are invited to help out with the cleaning of their home in a fun, responsible and inspiring way. The children can ride on the vacuum cleaner and welcomes them to help out during cleaning. At young ages the children only sit on it and ride along, and as soon as they grow older they can take a more responsible part in the tidying of your home, by cleaning some areas themselves. [via]

The WhirlWind Personal Washing Machine

The WhirlWind is a compact washer dryer unit designed by Aidan Barrett. At nearly half the size of a traditional washer dryer it is a lot more appropriate for single people living in apartments. The smaller drum size is suitable for a small load of washing (jeans, t-shirt, jumper, socks, and underpants), and because of this less water and energy is expended in the running of this device when compared to a typical machine.

The water that is used is pumped into a gray water tank. This tank is part of the base operations of this unit and with climate change and the current drought in Australia this was an essential part of the unit. The gray water tank can hold the total amount of water used in 1 load of washing; and when bio-cleaning agents are used this water can be reused or other purposes (eg. watering plants).

The motor of this device is a 3 phase 42-coil direct drive motor. It is brush-less in its operation and can be driven to fast enough speeds for the clothes to dry. At the end of life, this motor can be recovered to create a household power generator (as a wind or water turbine). The motor connects via spline to a shaft, which run along a series of bearings to the inner drum of the washer. [via]

High-Tech Knife Holder and Sterilizer

The Knife Locker by Min Seong Kim is a high-tech knife holder that actually locks your knives in place. Once placed inside, your blade will remain sterile due to the blue ultraviolet rays within. The main point of this is to sterilize the blades, keeping your children safe from viruses and bacteria, and the locking feature is so you don’t pull the blades out when they are being sterilized and possibly damaging yourself with the UV rays. The locker is the perfect item that will keep your children safe in the kitchen, while keeping your cooking game sharp. [via]

Cute Solar-Powered Lunch Box by Edita Barabas

How sophisticated is your lunch box? Edita Barabas have designed the Sunflower Lunchbox, a cute solar-powered appliance that heats and cools food items at the same time. A collapsible petals-like contraption (laced with solar cells) is used to trap the solar energy, which is then stored in an internal battery. With the simple touch of a button, you can then heat or cool down the contents within the individual boxes. It’s an ideal lunchbox for those fussy about eating piping hot food and solid cold drinks!

How Sunflower Lunchbox works? When the lunch box is closed, the compartments are connected to an electrical circuit through three lids for heating and cooling at the same time or separately, depending on the user’s wishes. Once opened, the electrical circuit is broken allowing you to take out the compartments individually and eat! Every pan has its own display through which you can control the heating or cooling your food.

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WAVE: Aesthetic and Ergonomic Dishwasher Design

Wave keeps away from the already worn dishwasher standard, both aesthetic and ergonomically. Its round and fluid contours and its innovating panel concept, in which the user is driven into a flow, following a logic and clear sequence of actions, are the greatest improvements. Wave was also thought to be a water saving appliance, by using steam in the pre-wash cycle, and an accessible product, by the use of reliefs and 2 positions buttons. Its aqua window and optional translucent top are a great for making sure everything is running smoothly. Wave capacity is 3 people/day. [via]

Steam Washer and Dryer for Small Space Urban Living

The EcoPod by Simon Hedt (Monash University) is a steam washer and dryer for small space urban living. Those who reside in urban, inner city apartments and flats have two options when it comes to clothes care; outsourcing to a laundry service or to utilize a communal laundry. The EcoPod provides this market with an innovative and aesthetically attractive third option, a combination washer & dryer that does not take up a large footprint and does not need to be hidden away in a European style laundry cupboard. It's an appliance that simplifies the hassle of everyday clothes care whilst being water efficient.

The EcoPod utilizes saturated "wet" steam for washing and superheated "dry" steam to heat the air inside the barrel (much like a regular dryer) for drying. The appliance comes with three washing baskets or 'pods', each one of these baskets is allocated a different clothing type e.g. lights, darks and delicates (white, black & red colored baskets respectively). The clothes, when discarded, are then tossed directly into their respective baskets, and once a basket/pod is full the lid is attached and the entire basket/pod is placed into the machine, where it becomes the washing barrel. Once the cycle is finished the basket/pod is removed and returned to its stand where the lid is removed and the clean clothes dispensed. [via]

Ergonomic Iron with Touch Screen

The 360 Iron is a conceptual clothing press designed to be ergonomic and tech-savvy. Bernardo Bajana’s design has a touchscreen and flexible handle to make ironing easier. The flexible handle of the 360 Iron allows you to move left or right at will without having to lift up and reposition the iron. The iron’s touchscreen takes the place of the old and outdated dials commonly found on all irons. Senior citizens and those with arthritis would benefit most from this design as it would allow them to iron without much effort. The 360 Iron would also have a mass appeal thanks to its eye-catching design, advanced technology and ease of use. It is the result of an exploration into the evolution of the common iron and a representation of key improvements made to an appliance that has otherwise experienced minimal change over the years. [via]

Easy Maintenance Steam Iron

The REPAIRWARE Series by Samuel James Davies are a group of household appliances designed for easy maintenance. The brand and range of appliances aim to create a culture of repair amongst their users. This brings together not only the manufacturers knowledge of the product but also that of the user. For example, the Steam Iron is assembled in simple layers and is held together by two screws. The products are fully and easily dismantable. Designed to be taken apart and put together again intuitively, they actively make repairing simple.

Aesthetically they take queues from older products, hinting towards when products were built to last and trying reduce throwawayism. Whilst using a traditional set of materials to create a feeling of longevity, they do so with more contemporary forms allowing a fresh product that won’t easily circum to fashion. [via]

V-Shaped Toaster and Y-Shaped Knife

The Toaster & Knife is the combination of a toaster that creates inverted V-shaped toasts and double bladed Y-shaped knife. This minimal design created by Israel-based designer Zlil Lazarovich. The toaster creates a toast with an iconic V shape, for two different spreads. Good thing about the V-toast is that it can easily break at the center and create a sandwich in no time! Double bladed Y-shaped knife with different spreads textures solves the "double dipping" problem: one blade for the butter and the other for the jam. The Toaster & Knife is definitely a very functional and elegant. [via]

Smart Water Purifier with Touch GUI

People are exposed to numerous pollutants in tap water. Water is one of the most essential elements for human consumption. However, there is a threat from serious pollution in tap water. The Smart Water Purifier has been designed by Seung Woo Kim for installation in the kitchen to purify polluted tap water, thus providing clean drinking water. Its 4-step filter system purifies 99.99% of pollutants including infusible fine particles, rust residue, chlorine, heavy metals and carcinogenic substances, and removes microorganisms. The Smart Touch GUI allows users to set the amount of water at the correct temperature simply and precisely. The intuitive and easy interface provides simple usability. Users enjoy interesting interactions when the product is touched.

Users can instantly extract the intended amount of clean water at various temperatures. For example, users can set the exact amount of water at 40°C suitable for baby mixing formula. Moreover, users can cook better by precisely adjusting the amount of water when cooking. Furthermore, the device provides useful information such as recipes, weather, time, etc. Frequently used buttons are bigger based on a universal design. The sleek front of the product is based on the surface of water. The stylish design uses real materials that harmonize with any modern interior decorations and creates an image of elegance. Also, its small size is due to the optimal structure of interior. It operates in power-saving mode automatically when users are out or asleep to reduce wasted energy. Carbon emissions have been minimized during the manufacturing process. To maximize the filter recovery rate, a reduction valve and changeable module-type filter have been applied. [via]

Small but Secure Hand Blender

Being a result of the analysis and research part of a study project, the Vita hand blender by Luca Bassanese is an aesthetically oriented product that satisfies both the physical and psychological needs of a user. The housing dimension meet the requirements of a 300W motor. The blender is therefore smaller in weight and size, and thus easier to operate. Its multipurpose blade is ideal for chopping, crushing, or puree in both shallow and deep containers. For safer handling, a LED light indicating that the device is powered up. The start button and PU foam on the rear side allow the blender to fit perfectly into a hand, making the grip more pleasant and secure. The bottom is made of plastic with good sliding properties, thus not causing damage to a delicate dish surface. The form of the bottom prevents the splashing of the dish content. [via]

Electrolux Slice: Remote Cooking System

The Electrolux Slice by Kyle Hay is a revolutionary cooking tool of time and temperature. Imagine having the skills and knowledge of professional chef, right at your fingertips. The slice is a smart timer, and utilizes remote temperature sensors to monitor perfect food cooking times and temperatures. Slice is a high-tech device designed to help you keep track of your meat from a distance. Cooking meat to the perfect temperature could become easier than ever with the Slice concept.

Slice comes with combination of a sensor and timer that monitors food as it cooks. It consist of two parts, a docking/control station and a transmitter/temper. The control station is used to input the type of meat you are cooking and the temperature you would like it cooked to. The control station is touch-activated and also features a recipe list in case you need some emergency inspiration.

Once you have put your settings into the control station, you can remove the temper and stick it into your meat. The temper will go from red to green when your meat has reached the desired temperature. Slice has been specially designed with an alternative mode for steak that lets you know when the meat has gone from rare to medium-rare to well done. [via]

Electrolux Bifoliate: Waterless Double Dishwasher

Electrolux Bifoliate is a suspended shelf for dishes washing machine designed by Toma Brundzaite. This wall-mounted double dishwasher was designed for family contained of several members. It’s positive side is no need for putting the dishes to other shelf. Electrolux Bifoliate has two separate containers. Meanwhile as the one is washing the dishes, other one hold clean dishes. That way will always be clean dishes in one of the containers.

Electrolux Bifoliate is a waterless dishwasher which uses ultrasonic cleaning. There are several water sprayers located on the inner side of the door, which are spraying wather on the dishes. Dish holders are sending special vibrating waves to finish the job. Very narrow water flush is spread. Dish holder then starts sending ultrasonic waves which help to clean all the dirty things easier than ever before. After all this process, everything goes down to pipes to the sewerage. [via]

Two Sided Dishwasher for Full Washing Performance

Waiting to load the dishwasher and then reloading it is a problem of today and also of coming decades. DualWash designed by Gökçe Altun, Nagihan Tuna, Pınar Şimşek, and Halit Sancar make it posibble to use full washing performance by a single user immediately after completing a meal. DualWash is a two sided dishwasher, which creates one clean side and one dirty side. Dishes can be quickly and easily loaded. By using it with two sides successively, it gives the advantage to wash higher loads.

When DualWash started, the interface shows us two possible modes: instant wash and dual wash (for two sides successively). When dual wash is activated, the door automatically slides to the other side and the interface reflects the conditions of the washing cycle. When washing process is finished, the interface informs us and the locks at the door are deactivated, making them manually slideable again.

DualWash is a waterless dishwasher which uses carbon-dioxide cleaning. When washing cycle is started, carbon-dioxide cycle is activated and supercritical carbon-dioxide is pumped to the cleaning chamber through the injection sprays. Supercritical carbon-dioxide has a very low surface tension, meaning instead of beading up into a ball like water, it spreads out widely covering all surfaces. During the washing cycle, Carbon-dioxide flows around the machine and cleans it. For solid particles, supercritical carbon-dioxide is turned to gas phase and food particle filter holds contaminates. The filter can be removed and cleaned. [via]

Beatplate: Play with Your Food

The Electrolux Beatplace by Bartos Scharmach is a design concept focusing and eventually challenging our perception of food and our dining habbits. It is a dining plate that responds with sound to what we place on it. Not only it is possible to create entire musical compositions by the way what we place on the plate but where we place it, how we arrange it and how we interact with it. The user not only becomes a consumer, but a composer.

The musical experience will be directly proportional to the way a particular food item is arranged on the plate. Simply, place food on the surface then arrange and move it to experience the different kind of tunes produced. The LCD surface of the device makes good use of Pixlesense technology, which has the capability to recognize food textures using infrared light. This will further produce an acoustic response, which will vary with different arrangements as well as food items.

The Electrolux Beatplate can be connected to speakers via Bluetooth technology, if you want to clearly listen to the tunes being produced. The exclusive musical compositions can further be shared with others, which will definitely win you a lot of appreciations. Both the main unit as well as the control unit are water resistant and can be washed in even in a microwave. The control unit can be charged via Micro USB slot. Apart from this, it can also be charged with the help of solar panels that act as a secondary power source. [via]