PRODUCE WASHER
1st Place, Product Design,
Whirlpool Mexico Design Award, (Student Design Contest)
Team: Raúl Pozos, Laura Valis & Rodrigo Covarrubias
Tecnológico de Monterrey
2008
CHALLENGE:
Water scarcity is already affecting modern lifestyles and the demand of fresh water in cities rises with the increasing urban population.
What can Whirlpool offer to help mitigate the demand of fresh water?
APPROACH:
Modern chores like washing clothes and dishes are already covered by domestic appliances, and technology has progressively made them more efficient. But, can a future domestic activity put more pressure on the demand for fresh water?
As we researched how cities are trying to mitigate global warming that is influencing water availability, we found experiments in the planning of urban farming plots to grow local produce. These are meant to reduce the CO2 emitted from the transportation of goods and the waste caused by packaging, but it should increase the demand of water at the same time.
OPPORTUNITY:
Home keepers are still inclined to wash seeds and leafy vegetables with water, typically using running water from the tap. This is highly inefficient since not all water is effectively used. Then, they have to disinfect produce to kill bacteria that live in vegetables.
DELIVER:
We decided to develop a countertop appliance that washes seeds and vegetables with a low amount of water, air bubbles and a compact flocculation system.
The device should be compact and easy to use. An added value for a produce washer is that it would save time in food preparation for cooking. Also, the water used for cleaning produce would be filtered into a small receptacle so it can be used again.
