As seen at CES 2015, the new Whirlpool Connect to Care program indicates a move towards not just the smart home, but the Internet of Good Things.
The laundry innovation consists of a washer and dryer that allow you to give back financially. The smartphone app-controlled appliances let you make charitable donations with every use. Using the app, you can set repeat donations that are shareable on social media. So every time you put clothes in the dryer, you can donate 10 cents to Habitat for Humanity or however much to the charity of your choosing.
The Internet of Good Things extends beyond Whirlpool's laundry appliances. Their interactive kitchen technologies are enabled by Nest to ensure you will be able to give with a variety of home devices.
Charitable Connected Laundry Machines
Whirlpool's Appliances Manifest the Internet of Good Things
Trend Themes
1. Connected Laundry Machines - The Whirlpool Connect to Care program is a disruptive innovation opportunity for the appliance industry, as it combines smart technology with charitable giving.
2. Internet of Good Things - The concept of the Internet of Good Things opens up new possibilities for incorporating charitable donations into everyday activities, such as doing laundry.
3. Interactive Kitchen Technologies - Whirlpool's interactive kitchen technologies, enabled by Nest, offer a disruptive innovation opportunity for the home appliance industry by integrating charitable giving into kitchen activities.
Industry Implications
1. Appliance Industry - The Whirlpool Connect to Care program introduces a disruptive innovation opportunity for the appliance industry by merging smart technology with charitable giving.
2. Technology Industry - The Internet of Good Things presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the technology industry to develop new ways of incorporating charitable donations into connected devices.
3. Charity Sector - The Whirlpool Connect to Care program offers a disruptive innovation opportunity for the charity sector to collaborate with appliance companies in enabling effortless charitable donations.