Timeline
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Initial investigation into the concept of non-rotational washing
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First Pump and spray tests
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Introduction to Sainsbury's Trust and Reckitt Benckiser
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Initial Proof of concept rig, to demonstrate spray and rinse properties Initial IPR applications (UK)
First steps
2002 - 2005
Things take shape
2006 - 2008
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Proof of concept updated adding drying components
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Further IPR applications (EU, US, Japan)
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Engagements with Industry and Academia
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Cambridge University - Institute for Manufacturing - technology assessment
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Echo Brand Design - concept visualisation produced
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Liverpool John Moores University - CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) opportunities United Utilities - Head of Innovation
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North West Development Agency - Funding routes and Innovation
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C-tech Innovation - knowledge provider
Proof of content - the company starts
2009 - 2012
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Brompton Washscape formed
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Work with C-Tech Innovation to secure £15k Innovation Voucher and construction of Initial rig Rig demonstrates proof of concept
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Unilever R & D Director advises standard detergents will be effective Tests confirm no rotation or specialist cleansers are required
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Successful Technology Strategy Board (TSB) bid for £160k R & D Grant Echo Brand Design produce series of Hanger concepts
There have been personal, financial and organisational challenges along the way, these are detailed within the relevant sections of the website.
A decision was made to proceed with Kickstarter crowdfunding, to allow us to progress, in the difficult environment.
Without funding or investment, we can’t deliver this revolutionary product, which has the potential to transform the lives of wheelchair and limited mobility users around the world. The Lead Prototype will remain an example of unfulfilled opportunity and we don’t want that, Joe at least, deserves better!
Progress in all areas
2013 - 2014
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Award of Japanese patent for the washing machine
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Completion of the Second rig at C-Tech, using CFD modelling
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Hanger requirements defined, design proposals from Echo Brand Design and submitted for IPR First visit of Godrej and Boyce R & D VP to UK to see the progress on the rig
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Engagement with Blackwood Homes and Care
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Successful completion of first TSB R&D programme
The washing machine has a face
2014 - 2015
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Second successful TSB R & D bid - £250K, Prototype Development for Assisted Living
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Blackwood set up regular Scrutiny Groups in Edinburgh to allow technical assessments from wheelchair users South Korea visit for market analysis
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Blackwood provide commissioned analysis, on 'Design and Technology as an Aid to Living Independently' Echo Brand incorporate the recommendations into their designs for the washing machine
Blackwood launch
2015
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e3 Design construct dimensional model from the Echo Brand work
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Dimensional model is launched at Blackwood
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Initial designs for operating screens
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Scrutiny Groups are convened at Blackwood
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Wheelchair Users and Carer assess and feedback on dimensional rigs and models Testing continues at C-Tech on the rigs
Public launch
2015 - 2016
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Dimensional model shown to the public at Blackwood AGM
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Full size mock up of the house is built for the AGM, the washing machine is a keystone Following testing, Bill of Material produced for Electro-mechanical items is produced Components off the shelf and custom made, are procured
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Tritec integrate the components and software
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E3 Design produce a design and commission body shell kit set for a functional prototype The items are married up and demonstrated at Blackwood
Blackwood house and personal setback
2016 - 2017
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The inventor gets double pneumonia and is incapacitated
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The programme schedule is severely impacted
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Multi talented engineer Jack joins the project
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Blackwood open their houses in Dundee, the demonstrator was there
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Development and testing continues
Lead prototype part 2 highs and lows
2017
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e3 design procured the majority of the exterior components
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We hand fabricated the rest
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The exterior colours were chosen to emphasise the ground breaking form
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Wash cycles were completed without leaks and drama
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All the safety features worked successfully
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The design flaw with the door handle was only found after final assembly
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There was no resource available to fix it
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We were unable to meet the Blackwood delivery requirement
Bring it home
2018 - 2019
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2019 We were advised to submit a further R&D Grant bid, to resource the design corrections
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The technically we qualified, financially not-for-profit business like ours weren't included
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Following Brexit, EU R&D bids weren't available
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The decision was taken to seek crowdfunding
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The lead prototype was put into a domestic situation, for content generation
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Family friend and wheelchair user Joe agreed to help us with the next steps
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Videos and still featuring Joe and the washing machine were ready by Jan 2020
3d printing beyond
2020 - 2023
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2023 Like everyone else, our plans were significantly altered by Covid
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The target audience for the washing machine were designated vulnerable
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Members of the team caught Covid, crowdfunding was put on hold
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Jack suggested looking 3d printing to allow us to self design and produce complex components
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Local business grants were made available and so a Prusa Mk3 and Modix 120 were bought
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A print room and workshop were fitted out to accommodate the equipment
Production capability
2023 - 2025
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We now have capacity to produce any cabinet component
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There is CAD capability within the team
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The printers are configured and able to produce our own designs
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A print room and workshop were fitted out to accommodate the equipment
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The inventor has taken early retirement to allow focus on the washing machine
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We now need your support and resource to make things happen
