This is the first post of an idea series I am doing on integrating Laundry, Wardrobe decisions and Clothes renting. I might also add in food and robots 🙂 .
Fully automatic washing machines are not really fully automatic; there are a number of things which we still need to do to make it run like putting clothes in, selecting a mode, buying and loading washing detergents/softeners, checking if they are dry… the list goes on. Laundry will be fully automated when all I have to do is throw my dirty linen in a basket (or maybe just on the floor) and I can pick it up clean, ironed and folded from my wardrobe in a few minutes. Below are a few ideas on how to improve automatic washing machines.
1.Washing Detergent -Auto Dispensing and Ordering
1.1 Pain
Overwashing , under washing and wastage due to putting in the wrong quantity of washing detergents and softner is a fairly common mistake. Most of us calculate how much washing detergent is required based on instinct and not precise measurement. Furthermore it is a pain to load detergents and solutions everytime.
1.2 Ideas
a. Provision to bulk load detergents and softeners so that the process of loading it, which is currently done before every wash is brought down to just a few times a year(as and when the bulk detergent load finishes) . This will also result in doing away with finding storage for these consumables and also a business model in which communities which use common laundry areas not having to buy detergents or softeners as they are already pre-loaded and charged accordingly
b. Auto dispensing of washing detergents and softeners based on load type and wash mode. Idea 1 – a and 2-a (below) will support this feature.
c. Auto ordering of washing detergents and softeners using e-commerce based on Consumables quantity levels in the bulk loading system and washing patterns of the user to ensure that they never run out when they need it.
2.Recommendations / Auto selection of washing modes
2.1 Pain
Washing modes can be confusing because you are never sure how it’s going to affect your clothes. Can I wash silk and wool together ? Is it ok if I put this dark red polyester t-shirt with my white t-shirt are the kind of questions everybody goes through. Either people question or don’t realise their mistake until the clothes actually come out.
2.2 Ideas
a. Auto selection or recommendations on washing mode to use based on weight, volume and cloth type. Load information can be captured through the following methods:
- Reading RFID on clothes – Separate blog post coming soon
- Manual entry of clothes type into console or connected phone/other device
- Auto detection of cloth type, weight, volume etc. using AI cameras and sensors( expensive but something possible in the future)
b. Based on Idea 2 a, users can be prompted to make changes in their load type to maximise efficiency or improve wash quality ;examples – remove red silk shirt, add 500 gms more.
3 Laundry Dashboard – Wash cycle status, power, water and consumables Info and everything else
3.1 Pain
When should I go take my clothes out? , Is there enough enough water to wash considering the water scarcity ?, Have I washed my brown pants ? , Do I have enough detergent to wash tonight ? – these are a few questions we ask ourselves all the time.
3.2 Ideas
A laundry dashboard application connected to the washing machine showing the below information can be a game changer in IOT
a. Wash cycle status to know how much time before its done and if there is any action you can take now to improve the current wash
b. Water and power consumption info along with any warnings of published water scarcity or power downtimes to make informed washing decisions
c.Detergent, softener and other consumables info with recommendations on discounts for purchase and making more efficient wash plans to maximise utility
d. Information on what is washed and available in your wardrobe to make informed decisions on what to wear, what to lend and rent. New post on this point coming soon.