Category: World Service
Date: 02.05.2005
Printable version
A device has been designed which won't let the same person use the washing machine twice in a row.
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'Your Turn' uses finger-print recognition technology to ensure the load isn't lumbered on just one individual.
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It was created by Barcelona designer Pedro Torres as an innovative Father's Day gift.
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"I thought it would be good to finish with macho man from the ice age who doesn't do anything around the house except drink beers," he told the 主播大秀 World Service Everywoman programme.
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"Spain is changing a lot, and I wanted to come up with an invention to enable men to do more around the home.
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"It was a tongue-in-cheek idea which seemed to catch the imagination," says Pedro. "It's an invention that has a philosophy behind it and I hope both women and men will think it's time for the men to do more around the house."
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The device works using finger-print recognition technology.
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Both partners register their finger prints on the sensor while it's hooked up to their home computer.
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When the sensor is plugged into the washing machine, the software will only allow the wash programme to start if a different finger is placed on it each time.
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So what about the cheats - how can you get round it?
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Pedro has an unusual solution: "I suggest the man can leave his finger at home.... we have ten fingers, so he won't miss one - well you don't use the little finger a lot!
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"Seriously though, the only way to override the system is to crawl around the back of the machine, unplug the sensor, take it back to the home computer and re-programme it - not that easy.
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"We have to make it difficult to change otherwise it defeats the object of the exercise."
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There remains one bone of contention - the same person can still load the washing time after time, the finger print sensor only controls who starts the programme.
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In future designs, Pedro hopes to bring the door release mechanism under the thumb of the fingerprint sensor too.
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You can hear an interview with Pedro Torres on the 主播大秀 World Service Everywoman programme on Tuesday 3 May.
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Pedro also talks about another of his inventions which encourages men to do more ironing.
