What A Purdy Washing Machine
Flexible Distance is a top loading washing machine developed for Ye Xiao Dong as winners of the “Lavatrice Cinese Made In Milan” competition. The emphasis? Pure style. The idea is this machine is so beautiful, it can be placed anywhere in the home; even as a center piece. But how can a washing machine be this mobile? By caster wheels of course. However beauty is only skin deep. The real innovation here is the interface.
All the controls are located on the outer ring of the wash well. You simply touch the setting you want and close the lid. You can monitor the progress of your wash by way of the embedded LCD screen on top of the lid. There’s no mention if it conforms to low power and water consumption standards and where it’ll get it’s water supply if mobile, but at least it’s purdy. Right?
Designer: Simona Iuculano


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21 Comments »
Matze says
Front-loading washers use 40-60% less water and 30-50% less energy than typical top-loaders…
Monty says
That was my thought, as well. It might look pretty, but technology-wise having a top-loading washing is like coming out with a next gen phone and putting a last-gen network speed on it.
Lastpulse says
I’m amazed at these appliances they are coming out with. Like the Samsung refrigerator I saw that had a detachable TV. Crazy stuff.
Xeno says
I hate this !!, cause I badly wants it but like most of the stuff on this site will never make it to production
Logruszed says
Wow, I’d like to dump a load into that thing.
shane says
why would anyone want a portable washing machine? and where does the plumbing go?. it would give itself away as a centerpiece the second it hits the spin cycle
a strange concept i must say.
Link Entire Directory says
How about plumbing? Do we need to fill the water manually?
paul sandip says
Avin says
It’s pretty but impractical. the buttons on the inner rim will spoil within months. have you noticed and studied washers ? it’s so moist in there, mold will grow on those surfaces. interface and outer chassis aside, no mentioning of any revolutionary design to the drum, imaging pushing a fully loaded 10-15 kg load fill with water,add another 20kg to it around… any castor wheels will soon wear out if not scratch the floor.
what happens if you have to change some settings, half way through a way cycle, open up the lid ??
a better solution is for all the controls to be embedded under the hood, oled, touch screen… you get the drift… only when buttons are pressed, the control panel lights up, if not.. it is hidden.
fatih says
it seems really crazy
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