LG Remote Monitoring Laundry System

It's hard for us to imagine why, but LG Electronics have created the Remote Monitoring Laundry System which allows you to monitor you laundry cycles from anywhere in the home. At least, anywhere with a power socket since the remote relies on Power Line Communication technology for the skinny on your junk scrubbers. Perhaps we don't get it 'cause we're binary washers — ram the clothes in regardless of color or material, select boil — dry until sandpaper. About the only advanced washer feature we understand is the "rat-proof plastic base." But if rinse+, cotton eco, and crease-care means something to you, then dropping a cool $1,349 for the washer, $949 for the dryer, and an additional $99 green for the remote monitoring kit might just be your thing.

[Jerry @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Black wave~

nice one

[Pacey @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

All I care is if it buzzes when the washer/dryer are done. I keep forgetting my laundry is in the washer/dryer in the basement and I either find it wet in the washer the next day or a pile of wrinkles in the dryer.

[Slipstream @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Well, my parents actually had a front load washer/dryer set. It was well worth the $ and they are incredibly quiet. So, if you have the $ and you are working around the house while doing the laundry I can understand why someone would use the remote ;) The washer/dryers don't really hold all that much, but they do a damned good job.

[Jon M @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

I would love the remote. My wife puts in the laundry and then bugs everyone in the house going "is it done yet?" "Do you think it is done yet?" because she is to darn lazy to get off of her chair in front of the TV to see for herself.

[Galley @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Why not just send an alert to your cell phone?

[Wayne @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Why not wireless? Like those things at restaurants that blink & buzz? "Your table/laundry is ready." That'd be perfect...

We need a remote reminder at our house, but we're not always gonna stare at some wall plug thing.

[Bob Frankston @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

I can understand the utility of knowing the state of the washing cycle so, for example, you can get to the dryer just in time.

The mistake is in making this another closed system as opposed to supporting general networking (as in 802.11) and just putting a web/XML server in the devices so you can implement your own solutions.

A server is very inexpensive -- probably can be added to the existing computer with just the addition of a way to connect the network.

We should demand all our devices provide information rather than seeing it as a $1000 trophy home "feature" like gluing a web browser to a refrigerator for $5000.

[Ed Tapanes @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Mr. Frankston is right on the money! When will we be able to log into our TVs to set (and backup) preferences, favorite channels, etc..? When will we be able to download speed dials from our address books to our new landline phones? Air conditioners, thermostats, dishwashers, coffeemakers, etc.. all these devices would greatly benefit from a user-interface-able webserver. Jeez, they could even make it an add-on option...

Anyway, people have already been doing this type of project, on a more 'Rube Goldberg' level in the Home Automation front. Check out http://www.cocoontech.com/index.php?showtopic=1505.

[Callum @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

Lg are at it again, when will they learn that a washing machine does not need to have as many processors as a nasa space ship. It needs to be reliable and wash clothes well.

Remember the Lg internet fridge what a joke we sold three at http://www.appliances.co.uk and they where like boomerangs they kept coming back with problems.

Lg make a good product and have good sevice and you won't need to create publicity stunt appliances to get some press.

[Samuel Lago @ Dec 19th 2005 2:05AM]

I think they are going about this in the wrong way, sure have this as a trial in-house, but not for market.

What they should be doing is allowing updates wirelessly to the main home server and then this wirelessly (and freely via Bluetooth or WiFi and not SMS) alerts devices that are already used by the user like a watch or a mobile.

To go one better all of the wallpaper in a true computerized home would be OLED or something so that the info would just appear on the wall, obviously the home would use sensors to know where they were.

Thats what LG should be doing