Singapore's waterless washing machine

Kind of feels almost disingenuous to call it a "washing machine" when it doesn't use any water, but apparently two industrial design students at the National University of Singapore developed a device that uses negative-ions, compressed air, and deodorants to power out those tough stains — detergent free. Will this forever change the dry cleaning industry as we know it? Well, don't mind us for being skeptical (as usual), but we're not holding out breath. Say, speaking of dry cleaning, our intern's been sick this week — would someone mind picking ours up?

[Via The Gadget Blog, Thanks Leon]

[Riky Kurniawan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

hmm,,,unique one. nice info!!

[Leech @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

You have to be stupid to even try to smuggle drugs into Singapore...

[Alex @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

I thought this was going to be one of those humour posts - it looks like a plain old wash board to me.

[Thomas Ricker @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

picture updated with the real deal-eo. Thanks Leon Huang over at HipTechBlog.com for the pic tip.

[ooda @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Have to say it does look pretty damn cool, but I'm still skeptical about washing something using, primarily, compressed air. Though if they have worked it out, more power to them.

I have to say, the design of it would have made a good looking Xbox 360.

[brrr @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

This one won a design contest set up by Electrolux, and was shown at FutureDesignDays in Stockholm this weekend. I wonder if the students really developed the device, or just designed it.. They got 50000 krones for first prize, ~$6000.

[Deets @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

One step closer to the sonic-showers from Star Trek XD

[Leon Huang @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

No problem, Thomas. I'm from Singapore as well, so I'm proud of these two students! :D

[HB Steve @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

You have your Intern pick up your dry cleaning? SHAME ON YOU!!! They want to learn important things from you, not be your laundry slave!

[danieru @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Does this have anything to do with reducing dependency on imported water? Perhaps it's just a nonsense invention to rub in Malaysia's face.

[allan Wallace @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

That is a slick looking machine for a couple of 20 years olds to cobble together.

I wonder how they are with perpetual motion?

That said, if it works, I will be very impressed.

[Sar @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

This "washer" would go well with Whirlpool's dry clean substitute (winner of IDEA award):

http://www.whirlpool.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=513