This project began as a sponsored group project by an architecture firm that specializes in design for the elderly. Our task was very open-ended; we were to design a product for elders. So to begin, we did research on our user group. We learned about their needs, wants, lifestyle, and disabilities. All of this helped build a strong base on which to begin this project.

1st Place - Scholarship AwardSFCS Sponsored Studio

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My mother paid someone to do her laundry for her because she could no longer do it herself.“ ”

After doing research on the needs of elderly people, it became clear to us that one of the best ways the we could help them would be to increase their independence. We wanted to be able to keep elderly people in their own homes for as long as possible.

Every little thing that can make life easier for an elderly person living alone will help them to stay independent. We chose to tackle one of those things as our project so we started to look at the process of doing laundry.

research

Group Members:Elliott CromptonTony SmithLisa Licata

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Full size“traditional”Washing machine

45º loading door

removable internal basket

1“Hamper” styleBedroom washing machine

Brings the washing system to where the clothes are.

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Small and convenient

Wall mounted design

Single machine3 4Flipping Concept

Combines the washer and dryer into one machine

Mounts on the wall or can be flipped upside down and sat on a table.

ideation

conceptThe machine’s small size and mounting options allow it to be placed wherever is most convenient for the user.

In this case, the machine is mounted on the wall next to the dresser.

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We wanted to simplify the process of doing laundry for the elderly. To start with, we chose to move the washing machine to where the user removes their dirty clothes: the bedroom. The cyclONE can be mounted in a closet and can function as a replacement for the traditional hamper.

storyboard

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Clothes are loaded into the washing machine.

Both the inner drum and the outer drum begin to spin, mixing the beads with the clothes.

The beads are tumbling along with the clothes, pulling out stains and cleaning the clothes.

The outer drum stops while the inner drum continues to spin. This separates the beads from the clothing.

The clothes are now clean and dry and ready to be removed from the washing machine.

To simplify the process further, we turned two machines in to one. To make this possible, we used a nearly waterless washing system. It uses beads to remove dirt and stains from clothing. The machine uses hardly any water or detergent and the beads are reusable so it is very environmentally friendly.

technology

• Wall mounted design allows the machine to be adjusted to the height that is most comfortable for the user.

• High mounting enables the user to reach all the way to the back with ease

• Control dial is placed at a height that allows for ease of use and sight

testing

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Bead Wash

Tum

ble

Off

• Rotary Dial

• Braille Indicators

• Haptic Indicators

• Built-in timer

Control Dial

control

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•The points of contact are marked by dark gray santoprene for grip as well as visual identification.

•The outside of the machine is wrapped in wool felt. This serves as a sound deadening material but also gives the machine a lighter look and casual feel.

•The shape of the cyclONE gives the machine a lighter look and feel while still maintaining enough room for internal mechanisms and resovoirs.

final design

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