Okay so this is a bit of a left field weird news item and we do not think this machine will go on sale in Europe but it is interesting that tech company Xiaomi is launching a washing machine under its Mi Home line.
The Xiaomi Smart Mi Washing Machine built in collaboration with Chinese refrigerator and washing machine manufacturer MiniJ.
The “Smart” washing machine gets its processing power from the Mi app that you can use to run one of fourteen different laundry modes. It’s really not that “smart” from what we can see, its just another connected appliance that we’ve discussed many times on this website.
It does look kinda cute though. And yeah, we cracked the Mini Mi gags as well!
The machine is apparently uses an Amotec Kore DD inverter motor and Suspa shock absorbers. The motor we are not familiar with but the Suspa shocks are used on many machines.
The washing machine’s dimensions are reported to be 630mm high, 500mm wide and 415mm thick.
It weighs about 34kg and a claimed load capacity of 2.8kg. You also get a child lock, a front-loading drum mechanism and a what Xiaomi “cooking wash” that will wash your clothes in 95 degrees Celsius water to kill off bacteria.
How small is that, well check this image out.
The washing machine will sell for 1,499 Yuan (around £172).
What’s interesting here is that this is a tech company, not an appliance company that are effectively using an outside producer (you could argue the same as many own label brands) to make a machine with their own take on it and we accept, it is a little different but, hardly innovation.
It may well sell well in the local Asian market due to the particular wash habits in the region but whether this could or would sell in Europe or the USA we doubt very much.
But, if tech companies start entering the space and actually do deliver real innovation then maybe the big global manufacturers should perhaps take note.
