Water Ball Ripples

The Ripple faucet creates a new, fun way to interact with water. Drawing inspiration from surface ripples, the faucet creates a strong visual relationship between the two. On top of the frosted ripple surface sits a metal ball. An array of electromagnetic sensors detects that ball’s position. Moving the ball in or out from the center controls water pressure. Moving it around controls temperature.

The surface glows red or blue to denote how hot or cold it is. The two separate channels combine the hot and cold water to get the perfect mix. Don’t worry about scalding yourself tho. The water in the hot water channel isn’t actually hot until it’s ready to be mixed via flash heating.

Designer: Smith Newnam & Touch360 Studio

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48 Comments »

Comment by Eoin
2008-02-27 13:39:27

 

Really great design , great imagination from the designer…
Only problem is the actual pressure of the water , unlike in normal taps where it can spray in a downward direction.

Comment by Jimmytown
2008-05-06 12:07:31

 

What about water conservation? I would think people would waste a lot of water just showing others how it works

 
 
Comment by patrick
2008-02-28 01:17:31

 

oh man, i hoped this would wind up here. I think these three illustrations actually show very explicitly how the system works, which is a very complex thing.

only thing: have you thought of changing the colors of the light to more neutral tones to suit higher-end bathroom environments? like a crimson for the red? I just think that a select few might not believe that pure bright red or blue will “match” their otherwise anally detailed bathroom aesthetics. actually the blue looks nice. the red sticks out.

 
Comment by teqsun.com
2008-02-28 01:46:24

 

I want one of those so bad. But dont lose the ball. What would happen? Also where does the ball go when you are done.

 
Comment by SinAmos
2008-02-28 01:47:54

 

I am completely in love. Zip me up in a time-freeze for five years and wake me up when every bathroom has some variation of this.

 
Comment by BigViper
2008-02-28 01:49:33

 

I love the faucet but I would do a diff basin. maybe something with a hard contrast to the softness of the faucet.

 
Comment by designpreneur
2008-02-28 01:52:20

 

Suggestion: Magnetize the ball (or the material underneath it) and make the control surface a dimpled texture (like a golf ball) and it would be perfect (for me anyway).

 
Comment by Coaster
2008-02-28 01:53:35

 

It looks like it would be hard to clean. The little tracks the hot and cold water flow from look like they would be quite condusive to mold. Maybe if they were enclosed in something clear, rather than just open. It also doesn’t seem to have much pressure behind the water. But it’s pretty. I hope they make it workable.

 
Comment by MrBalloonKnot
2008-02-28 01:54:43

 

Go into any home, bathroom, hotel, restaraunt, etc. and every faucet will be different. Some have levers that go up/down or left/right or rock side-to-side. Some have knobs that turn–sometimes left and sometimes right. Some have little sticks that rotate around in all kinds of directions like a joystick (my favorite). Some have a sensor that is supposed to turn the faucet on for you and “bless you” with the correct temperature before turning of prematurely. I’ve even seen some that look like an old-fashioned pump.

So, a faucet that is controlled by a magnetic ball…why the hell not?!?! I hope I start seeing these everywhere. I’ll will help me build up my collection of “steelies” for my next marble tournament.

It is kind of purdy though…

 
Comment by celloids
2008-02-28 04:52:25

 

The best damn thing I’ve ever seen.
I’ll take two of those please.

 
Comment by phantam
2008-02-28 09:27:22

 

ok so the ball control might be iffy, but i love the 2 channel idea thats just sexy looking and cool at the same time

 
Comment by Lindsay
2008-02-28 14:57:57

 

Very cool!

I’m not sure I need that much entertainment when I’m washing my hands, but I’d definitely like to see one up close. I wonder how much they cost.

 
Comment by jason
2008-02-29 09:25:11

 

Eh. Someone needs to read Donald Norman.

It’s neat, but why are we still making faucets that combine temperature and flow into the same control?

 
Comment by Rony John
2008-03-02 20:40:01

 

Looks pretty cool …. How much do they cost ??

 
Comment by Christine
2008-03-04 20:21:25

 

So what’s keeping the ball from rolling around and going down the drain? Nice imagination but not very practical. The rendered photographs could have been so much better. It should show the sink in a more modern environment rather than your cottage bathroom.

 
Comment by Jeff
2008-03-05 10:43:36

 

For the public washroom scenario - how long until someone steals the ball? :)

 
Comment by Manhwi-Lee
2008-03-05 15:45:48

 

Wow good idea !

We are interest in Ripple Faucet in korea market,please let is know where we can make business with you…

Thank you
b.rgds/Manhwi-Lee

 
Comment by Manhwi-Lee
2008-03-05 15:47:05

 

Wow

 
Comment by osis
2008-03-27 12:01:36

 

Id lose that ball too….

 
Comment by samira
2008-04-05 09:14:28

 

interestting & good idea….. :D

 
Comment by ALBERTO COSTA
2008-04-12 04:44:21

 

I loved it. How much does it cost?
Best regards,
Alberto Costa

 
Comment by Ana Paula Regado
2008-04-12 05:05:06

 

We are interest in Ripple Faucet for the Portuguese market. Please let us know how can we make business with you…
Thanks,
Ana Paula Regado

 
Comment by saeid
2008-04-19 02:58:00

 

hi,
that is great. how much does it cost? and how i can byt it?
thanks.
saeid

 
Comment by Kevin Yu
2008-04-28 19:53:23

 

I believe this is an amazing design.

How much do you think this product will cost, where i can buy this product, and where I can look into more in this type of product?

Thanks,

 
Comment by saeid
2008-04-29 05:56:15

 

is there anyome to answer questions? i will be thankfull

 
Comment by James
2008-05-03 19:42:01

 

its plausable by would the electromagnetic waves alter the waterflow?

Also mabye the ball could be attached via a string? oh perhasps if it falls out an alarm would activate?

the channels could be tubes that are highly pressurized to prevent mold growth….or you could put a waterloving moss thre… for fun of course ;D

 
Comment by carl
2008-05-12 02:02:53

 

a solution to a problem that does not exist.

sensors already exist that can quickly assurtain the temperature of water. They are called your hands…

Does it come with a bag full of spare metal balls when they get lost? any child or elderly person would be lost here i think

So you need and electrician and a plumber to fit it.

id also be concerned about bacterial adhesion if i was to brush me teeth here.

How does the water remain lit along its curved traejectory into the plug hole? now that is clever!!!

 
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