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What do a washing machine you use like a hula hoop and an intelligent dish that transforms food into sound have in common? Two things: They are both semi-finalists in Electrolux Design Lab 2012 and both look to engage our senses in new and interesting ways.

From five continents, 30 semi-finalists have been selected to compete for a place in the final of Electrolux Design Lab 2012. Over 20 countries are now represented and from these 10 designers will be chosen to compete in the final to be held in Milan, Italy on October 25, 2012.

October Finals in Milan
Ten finalists will each be invited to participate in a final event on October 25th, 2012, held in Milan, Italy and present their individual concept to a jury of design experts. The jury will consider entries based on intuitive design, innovation, aesthetic qualities and consumer insight when awarding the first prize of a six-month paid internship at an Electrolux global design centre and 5,000 Euros. A second prize of 3,000 Euros and third prize of 2,000 Euros are also on offer.

In this, the 10th year of the Electrolux Design Lab challenge, the semi-finalists have drawn inspiration from experience creators such as professional chefs or interior designers. Here we present the 30 semi-finalist concepts that best reflect Electrolux design philosophy whilst working to create new home appliances that stimulate, engage and enlighten all of our senses.

1: Aeroball

Country: Poland
Designer: Jan Ankiersztajn
School: Uniwersytet Artystyczny w Poznaniu

The Aeroball is a revolutionary way to improve the spaces in which we live. In tiny bubbles that float and hover, the Aeroball cleans and filters the air while hovering in place. When filtration is not enough, the Aeroball also comes in scented varieties. Designed with inspiration from nature, the glowing shell of the sphere absorbs light during the day and radiates it at night, a delicate indoor firefly always working to improve the air that we breathe. Space is such a valuable commodity these days so the Aeroball works to purify, refresh and beautify our space to make the environments we live in a little bit more precious.

2: Cruet Salt & Pepper


Country: United Kingdom
Designer: Harry Hale
School: Nottingham Trent University

The Cruet is a salt and pepper shaker with a twist. The Cruet not only enhances the taste of your food but also increases social interaction at the dinner table between you and your guests. Using your smart phone you can select music that the Cruet will play to accompany your meal and thereby enhancing the sensory experience of the entire dinner. You can then roll the round shakers to a friend across the table keeping your dinner party lively and fun. The Cruet Salt and Pepper is a fun, new way to look at, listen to and share the way we experience food.

3: Be there


Country: Latvia
Designer: Mikus Vanags
School: Art Academy of Latvia

What if you could eat traditional Nepalese food in the Himalayas or fresh pasta on the streets of Rome? Maybe you would like a professional chef show how to cook almost any meal you want, any time you want it. Be There brings these experiences right into your very own kitchen. Be There is a virtual restaurant that lets you select your favourite locations around the globe with local cuisine and themed atmospheres. You can also watch instructional videos on preparing meals that you can enjoy together with your friends and family. Be There can take you anywhere without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home.

4: Easy Stir


Country: Norway
Designer: Lisa Frodadottir Låstad
School: Norwegian University of Science and Technology

The Easystir stirs for you so your hands are free to make the most of life. By utilising magnets that react to your induction stove the Easystir will literally save you time and money by never needing to be charged, batteries replaced or plugged into a wall socket. The stirring speed can be adjusted easily by the user while the Easystir adjusts itself to fit into almost any pot. It’s compact, dishwasher safe and can be stored as simply and neatly as any other kitchen utensil. While Easystir is hard at work in the kitchen you are free to spend more time with your friends and family.

5: Fridge Nose


Country: Lithuania
Designer: Vilius Dringelis
School: Vilnius Academy of Arts

Fridge Nose lets you know before food gets on the nose. Fridge Nose is a home appliance that displays information about the food that is stored in your fridge. Using sensors placed in the food the Fridge Nose warns you when food has expired or lets you know just how long you have left. Its magnetised base allows it to sit conveniently on the fridge so you can keep track of the freshness of your food without having to open the door. Don’t wonder when your food will expire, the Fridge Nose knows.

6: Hula Washer


Country: South Korea
Designer: Sang-soon Lee
School: Yongin University

Hula Washer is a revolutionary new product that will keep you fit while you wash your clothes. Save time and save money by using the energy you need to exercise to spin the Hula Washer, like a Hula Hoop, while it washes your clothes. Simply add your clothes and washing liquid to the hollow centre of the ring and then start to spin. And, because it is collapsible you can store it easily or take it travelling so you can be sure you’ll always have clean clothes when you need them.

7: ICE

Country: Spain
Designer: Julen Pejenaute
School: Universidad Politecnica de Valencia

ICE sheds new light on the world of cooking. ICE can not only be used as basic lamp with adjustable brightness or colour to fit the mood of any dining occasion. “Experience” is one mode used to enhance your meal by adding interactive backgrounds that react to you movements and creating dynamic links between objects on the table. When placed above any cooking or dining area ICE can scan its surroundings and assist the user in creating the best meal to suit any occasion. ICE can scan ingredients you’ve already chosen to cook and give suggestions on meals that can be made from those ingredients. The user can also access a vast database of recipes and ICE will guide you every step of the way. ICE is a great way to learn and experience a whole new world of cooking in your own home.

8: Ingresure


Country: United Kingdom/South Korea
Designer: Jongwoo Choi
School: Central Saint Martins

Professional chefs have an intuition for flavour that takes years to perfect. For the rest of us following a recipe is usually the safest way to get a dish right but the true test is always in the tasting. So, let Ingressure taste for you. Ingresure will accurately measure the ingredients of your soup, sauce or stew and let you know how much salt, pepper or spice you need to cook like a pro. Ingressure uses advanced sensors to tell you what you need and comes with multiple attachments to suit the meal you’re making. Save your tongue from scalding hot soups and let Ingressure tell you exactly what you need to cook like a 5 star chef.

9: Melodi


Country: Canada
Designer: Elena Sitnikova
School: Carleton University

What would cooking be like if you could not see? More than 39 million people worldwide are legally blind. Melodi is a device designed to allow the other senses help you in task of measuring liquids. As liquid flows through the funnel opening, sensors gauge the flow rate – and the fun begins. A musical scale allows the user to know how much liquid has been poured. When you are not using it the compact Melodi is easily stored. Melodi not only liberates those with limited sight, it also brings music and laughter to everyday kitchen tasks, creating a completely different sensual cooking experience for all users alike.

10: Mo’Shere


Country: Mexico
Designer: Yunuén Hernández
School: Centro de Investigaciones de Diseño Industrial- UNAM

The excitement and adventure of creating something new is what makes cooking fun. Mo’Sphere allows the user to experiment with and experience new flavours and sensations through the exciting world of “molecular cooking”. Until now the realm of molecular cooking has been dominated by celebrity chefs and Five Star restaurants. With Mo’Sphere your kitchen becomes a place of exciting new creations and tastes the like you’ve never known.