National Semiconductor’s COP8SCR Flash Microcontroller Provides the Intelligence for Worldwide First Pay-for-use Washing Machine from Merloni Elettrodomestici
February 4, 2002 – National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE: NSM) and Merloni Elettrodomestici today announced that National’s COP8SCR Flash microcontroller has been designed into Merloni’s highly innovative digital washing machine, Margherita Dialogic Ariston. A complete innovation in the white goods industry, Merloni’s concept allows the user to lease a washing machine instead of buying it, pay per use – a concept known from cellular phone pre-paid cards – and remotely control the appliance. For this end, the washing machine has been equipped with the new WRAP (Web Ready Appliances Protocol) technology from WRAP, a spin-off company of Merloni, founded in June 2000. National Semiconductor’s COP8SCR Flash has been chosen as the intelligent microcontroller at the heart of the system, providing the connectivity to the call center by communicating all the collected data and monitoring the pay-per-use service. National’s COP8 Flash technology thus is enabling the implementation of innovative services such as remote tele-assistance, tele-diagnostics and tele-alarm concepts.
“Our COP8 Flash microcontroller has the great advantage of in-system programmability and therefore is ideally suited for internet-controlled appliances such as Merloni’s networked and remotely controlled digital washing machines,” said G?nter Hohma, Microcontroller Marketing Manager at National Semiconductor in Europe.
“The Virtual EEPROM feature of National Semiconductor’s Flash microcontroller allows for customization and recall of user preferences,” said Mario Cipriani, Digital Appliances Manager at Merloni Elettrodomestici. “Also, National’s COP8 Flash controller provides the ability to store and retrieve access codes, dial-up numbers, and zone protection schemes which clearly sets it apart from competition.”
“WRAP, as the new spin-off of the Corporate Electronics R&D unit from Merloni Elettrodomestici, provides its technologies to Merloni as well as to other players on the market,” commented Valerio Aisa, Chief Technical Officer at WRAP. “Our specific know-how enables Merloni Elettrodomestici to introduce for the first time in the world a new concept for the use of household appliances, no longer based on acquiring them but on renting them by signing a pay-per-use contract.”
About National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor is the premier analog company driving the information age. Combining real-world analog and state-of-the-art digital technology, the company is focused on the fast growing markets for wireless handsets; displays; information appliances; and information infrastructure. With headquarters in Santa Clara, California, National reported sales of $2.1 billion for its last fiscal year and has about 9,800 employees worldwide. Additional company and product information is available on the World Wide Web at www.national.com.
About Merloni Elettrodomestici
Merloni Elettrodomestici is an innovative European company, which is orientated towards development and close to its customers. Founded in 1975, it is the youngest among the leading multinational electric household appliance manufacturers. Today, with its two main brands, Ariston and Indesit, Merloni Elettrodomestici is the third largest European manufacturer, with a turnover of 1.85 million Euros each year, producing more than 8 million appliances and with over 13,000 employees. The company owns 12 factories and 21 subsidiaries in the most important markets. It recently initiated the spin-off of activities linked to the development of WRAP technology (Web Ready Appliances Protocol), functions as an intelligent system, capable of communicating with other household appliances and with telecommunications networks.
About WRAP
In June 2000, the spin-off of the Corporate Electronics R&D unit from Merloni Elettrodomestici gave birth to a separate and independent company, called WRAP. WRAP is committed to the evolution of a networked world in which everything is smart and connected, thus becoming more helpful and efficient. An innovative way of monitoring any type of electrical appliance has been designed: studying electricity patterns, a device named WRAP Enabled Smart Adapter (WESA). WRAP technology is able to create, transport and manage information in any electrical device. For further information, please click www.wraphome.com
I want2 buy a pas as u go washing machine.. But I can’t find 1 eny help??
I would like to buy a coin operated washing machine and although your site advertises the sale of them I still cannot find one. I would be grateful for any help you can provide in assisting me to purchase one of these machine for my shared home.
[quote name=\”hummingbird\”]I would like to buy a coin operated washing machine and although your site advertises the sale of them I still cannot find one. I would be grateful for any help you can provide in assisting me to purchase one of these machine for my shared home.[/quote]