Whether it’s smartphones, cameras or MP3 players, it probably goes without saying that most consumer electronics are designed for maximum user convenience ... that doesn’t always end up being the case, but it is at least the intention. The Wayki is somewhat unique, however, in that it’s specifically designed to force the user into doing two things that they’d rather put off: getting out of bed, and brushing their teeth. That’s right, it’s a combination alarm clock and toothbrush.
Created by British entrepreneur David Hawkins, the device consists of two parts – a cylindrical alarm clock, and a dedicated toothbrush with a handle that slides into that clock. At night, the clock sits on the user’s bedside table, while the brush sits in the bathroom. When the alarm goes off in the morning, the only way of silencing it is by getting up, carrying the clock into the bathroom, and inserting the brush – there’s no snooze button. It’s not unlike the Ramos Alarm Clock, which the user can only shut off by entering a code on a panel located in another room.
Once the brush is plugged in, a two-minute countdown appears in place of its time display. That’s intended to keep the user brushing for a full two minutes, instead of rushing the job.
When it’s time to go to bed, the user has to return to the bathroom to retrieve their clock. Given that they’re already pulling out the toothbrush to “re-arm” the clock, the thinking goes that they’ll be reminded to brush their teeth again, while they’re at it.
Needless to say, a lot of Wayki owners might ultimately just end up keeping their toothbrush in their bedroom – although one might wonder why they bothered buying the thing in the first place, if that were the case.
Hawkins and company are currently raising production funds for their product, via their own crowd-funding website. A pledge of £49 (US$77) – 50 percent off the estimated retail price – will get you one, when and if the first run is ready to go ... but only if you live in the UK. The Wayki should be available internationally upon its official launch.
More information is available in the pitch video below.
Source: Wayki
