8. Drumi, the non-electric laundry washer

Introduction

I came across Drumi on Facebook and would like to share my design critique on it. Drumi is foot-powered laundry washer created by the company Yirego.
Here is my opinions on it:

Pros

1. Electricity-Free

Drumi is entirely powered by a foot petal. Unlike a traditional laundry machine which uses electricity, the Drumi is manual powered. This means a smaller electricity bill and a lower carbon footprint.  

2. Portability

The user would be able to determine where to operate Drumi, so they would not be bound to any location. This means it could be used for camping and other remote locations.

3. Small load Intake

The Drumi would enable the user to wash small loads of laundry that would otherwise be planned to be washed with a large load. This would especially be handy for linen that needs to be washed frequently such as sports-wear or napkins.

4. Decrease water-consumption

The Drumi uses less water compared to a laundry machine for the same load size. This is important as most water-consuming technologies are promoting a decrease in water consumption. It is ever so more important for areas in the world without plumbing where water would not be easily accessible.

5. Design

In my opinion, the Drumi is aesthetically pleasing. Featuring a shape that is convenient for storage and also different colours that are available. The design is also visually appealing using materials that compliment the product.

Cons

1. Manual Powered

Since the Drumi is electric-free, is requires manual power instead. This requirement may be inconvenient for disabled people or those that are not mechanically inclined. The motion may be tiring or awkward to perform. It also requires the manual input of water into the container, which could be difficult for some because water is heavy in large quantities.

2. Time Consumption

A manual powered laundry machine means that it requires constant input. Each load requires an estimate of 5 minutes of input. This serves to be time consuming for those who lead a busy lifestyle and do not have 5 minutes to spare. 

3. Floor-drain

As seen in the video, the user empties the water of the Drumi into a floor drain. Not every home is installed with a floor drain. This would be an additional cost to install one. If the user decides not to install a floor drain, using the Drumi in a bathtub or outside poses a inconvenience to using the Drumi, especially in areas with harsh weather. 

Final Thoughts and Verdict

Under specific circumstances, I could see a target audience that would purchase a Drumi. Those that have a little time to spare in their lifestyle, would like to save money on their electricity bill, and also care about the environment would find the Drumi very useful. And for that, I give my final verdict.

Verdict: Pass