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Haier shows human-powered washing machine prototype

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Haier's bike-powered washing machine
Haier's bike-powered washing machine
Haier's bike-powered washing machine
Pedalling for 20 minutes is said to give you one cold cycle wash
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Chinese electronics giant Haier was showcasing its green credentials at IFA 2010 with this human-powered washing machine. An exercise bike with a lithium-ion battery that collects energy as you pedal is hard wired to the front loading machine. When you pedal, you power the machine. Twenty minutes effort is said to give you one cold cycle wash without drawing power from the grid. It's an idea we've seen elsewhere in fledgling form – and its a good one. We'd love to see it get beyond prototype stage.

The rationale behind Haier's IFA display is that, like almost every major electronics manufacturer, it's keen to make consumers aware of its environmental commitment – the company points to a long history in this area having produced China's first CFC-free refrigerators in 1997. Being seen as green is a must in these times, and the flip-side is that saving energy also saves you money... the piggy bank pyramid is a subtle hint.

That's not to say that the human-powered washer is a total gimmick. Haier told us that it is gauging consumer response at the show and might consider bringing the idea to market.

Of course by the time you've sweated it out for 20 minutes you are going to have more clothes to wash.

View gallery - 3 images
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2 comments
Anumakonda Jagadeesh
Good device to use Human power.

Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore(AP),India
Scoob
Please get it right Gizmag. Its not a human powered washing machine. Its an Electric powered washing machine, with power comming from a human powered generator and battery system. Maybe the machine has a lower voltage than normal. If not they should develope a 12 or 24 Volt washing machine.
With this generator system, any machine powered by electricty can be powered up.
Haier should definitely go ahead any produce it, as if they dont some one else will.