Washing machine and robot cleaner in one: Save time and space with new smart home appliance

For many Singaporeans, a long day at work is often followed by more work when they get home – housework, that is.

Short of employing a live-in helper, maintaining a clean home with floor mopped and laundry done even before you step through the door can sometimes feel like a mammoth task.

But all that is set to change with the advent of smart home appliances that perform household chores at the simple push of a button.

One of the largest producers of major appliances, Midea Group recently unveiled its new 4-in-1 WashBot, the world’s first integrated appliance that combines a washing machine and floor-cleaning robot with laundry, sweeping and mopping functions.

Midea Group’s general manager of Overseas Marketing of the Laundry Appliance division Stan Ding says: “Consumers’ demand for innovative home solutions is particularly strong as they aim to reduce the burden of household chores and increase the quality of life.”

While most washing machines indicate how much weight they are designed to hold, users are not always sure how heavy their laundry is, leading to under- or overuse of laundry detergent.

To address this, Midea’s WashBot is equipped with intelligent dispensing technology which can automatically sense the weight of the laundry and dispense the appropriate amount of detergent, eliminating the need for guesswork each time. This ensures clean clothes while preventing detergent residue in the machine.

Besides automatically dispensing detergent, Midea’s pioneering WashBot TurboFoam Wash technology generates micro-level foam, with high-pressure spraying throughout the washing and rinsing process, providing gentle yet powerful stain removal.

Its Air Wash technology effectively removes unpleasant odours from clothes, while the Silver Ion Cold Wash function releases silver ions in cold water to penetrate deep into fabric fibres for better sterilisation.

The WashBot has also received the international Woolmark Green Label certification as it can intelligently control water flow and rotation speed to reduce shrinkage, deformation and pilling of wool garments, maintaining their natural fluffiness and softness.

One of the more strenuous parts of doing laundry is the loading and unloading of bulky items like bedsheets and comforters.

However, the WashBot’s 365mm-wide porthole makes this easier. It also helps that the porthole is positioned higher than that of the average washing machine, so users do not have to bend over as much to load and unload.

The WashBot also allows users to schedule wash cycles with the Smart Home App, allowing them to start the washing process anytime, even if they are not at home.

This means time-strapped individuals can simply load the machine before they go to bed, with the option of starting the washing and drying cycles the next day while they are at work, then coming home to fresh laundry.

With Bluetooth connectivity, the app will also remind users to collect their clothes when the laundry cycle is done.

While the clothes are being washed, homeowners can get their floor cleaned remotely as well.

Docked at the bottom of the washer is a robot floor cleaner that uses powerful water flow for scrubbing and kneading, as well as patting to remove dirt. It also features 60-minute hot air drying and comprehensive sterilisation.

Equipped with Auto-Nav 3D Depth Sensing Technology, laser navigation and a dual-band laser line, the WashBot has a high-definition camera to accurately recognise room scenes, perform 3D maps modelling and autonomously plan cleaning routes.

The battery provides up to 208 minutes of runtime, meeting the cleaning needs of large homes up to 200 sq m.

To tackle stubborn stains, Midea's newly developed Auto-Bionic Cleaning Technology identifies floor stains and features a 10,000pa suction power for precise cleaning. Combined with automatic pressure boosting and high-speed rotation mopping, these features help you achieve squeaky clean floors.

Apart from the daily buildup of dust in the home, those with long tresses will know it often means unsightly clumps of hair on the floor.

The WashBot’s Auto-Cut technology precisely identifies hair tangles, then cuts and collects them, keeping your hands clean. It is equipped with a 2.5L dustbin, which needs to be emptied only six times a year when used regularly.

For ease of use, all the functions of both washing machine, and robot vacuum and mop can be accessed at the same time on the washing machine’s touch screen.

At 595mm (width) x 600mm (depth) x 1110mm (height), the sleek design of the WashBot fits into a standard 600mm cabinet, with a flat surface alignment between machine and cabinet. This not only keeps the laundry area neat, but it is also space-saving for those who do not have the luxury of a large laundry room.

Adds Mr Ding: “We regard innovation as our core driving force, striving to create exceptional products and provide an unparalleled user experience for our users globally.”