Indesit set to launch cheap energy smart washing machine - 04/08/2010

Manufacturer Indesit is developing a new efficient washing machine designed to help consumers save money from their energy suppliers.

The self-regulating Indesit Smart Washer is developed in conjunction with the Freescale Semiconductor group and features a Freescale Zigbee Node which communicates with energy suppliers via an internet connection with the smart grid.

The ZigBee Node enables the smart washer to adjust its cycle starting time according to the amount of energy available, which helps reduce power consumption.

Indesit said the smart washer is currently undergoing trials and is still in the protype phase. A spokesman for the company was unable to confirm a date for general release or a retail price.

Stefano Frattesi, Indesit's innovation for design manager, said: "The Smart Washer confirms our commitment to innovation for the benefit of the environment and demonstrates our pioneering research in the field of smart grid to help reduce energy consumption and provide our customers increasingly innovative solutions."

Indesit is also currently trialling two other smart grid products, intelligent refrigerators and Energy@home, an interconnected home appliance research project.

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