Engineering news
Innovative designs have revealed how we might be cooking, cleaning and improving our home environment in the future.
Eight concepts, ranging from 3D food printers and mini flying cleaning robots to shape-shifting vacuum cleaners and wearable air cleaners have made it through to the finals of this year's Electrolux Design Lab competition.
The student competition received over 1,700 submissions, from more than 60 countries, this year.
Chief design officer and head of the competition panel Stefano Marzano, commented: “The theme of this year’s Electrolux Design Lab competition is 'inspired urban living'.
“We chose eight thought-provoking and creative designs which represent a broad selection of inspirational concepts for cooking, cleaning and air cleaning, in a way which offers solutions based on true needs, yet surprise us with their propositions of the way our future lives are experienced.”
The eight designs:
Atomium is a 3D printer that uses molecular ingredients to construct food layer by layer. Children can draw the shape of the food they would like to eat, show it to the appliance which then detects this information and prints food in the desired shape as well as choosing molecular ingredients to construct nutritional balance for user’s body.
Mab is an automated cleaning system consisting of hundreds of flying mini-robots that can clean all types of surfaces. The robots will scan and clean the house, and trap dirt particles to ensure maximum cleaning.
Nutrima kitchen scales analyse the food's weight, nutrition, freshness and levels of certain toxins. The scales can be charged by bending before use.
Global Chef is a kitchen appliance and service that connects people and cultures across the globe by using hologram technology. Global Chef enables people to cook together regardless of distance. The social interface platform enables the user to climb ranking ladders, participate in competitions or simply connect with other food lovers.
Breathing Wall is a wall-integrated air cleaning concept for people who live in urban areas, and who want to relax in a home with fresh air.
3F stands for Form Follows Function. The physical body of this vacuum cleaner can change to suit the task required. It is designed to economise space in compact and urban apartments. Scents can be added to the vacuum, to emit while it cleans.
OZ-1 is an air purifier and stress reliever integrated in a fashion piece that can be hidden under the collar or worn as headphones.
Kitchen Hub is a device designed to help the family to eat better and healthier. It also works to help reduce food waste.
The winner will be announced in October.
- What's your favourite? Tell us what you think by leaving a comment below.