Strange new world of domestic gadgets

THE TRADITIONAL heart of the home is about to become less traditional.

Robotic chefs that respond instantly to their owner's cravings, fridges that attach to an outside wall and dishwashers which use ultrasonic waves to scrub plates while converting food scraps into compost are about to be unveiled as key ingredients in the kitchen of the future.

Electronics giant Electrolux has launched a global competition to design gadgets which could become indispensable to householders in 2050 and the eight shortlisted ideas will be showcased this week. The winner will be awarded 4,500 and the chance to develop his or her idea alongside the company's technicians.

Most of the ideas are aimed at saving labour and space as futurologists predict that accommodation will shrink, particularly in urban areas over the next 40 years.

It means traditional cookers, dishwashers that use water, bulky fridges and washing machines that eat up space in kitchens and utility rooms will be consigned to the past.

Henrik Otto, Electrolux's global design spokesman, claims that by 2050, 75 per cent of people in the UK will live in cities, many in flats about the size of boxing ring. "As cities and towns become more heavily populated, people need to find solutions that make their living space more efficient, yet comfortable and social," he said.

"We are already meeting this compact-living challenge by developing appliances that are safe for consumers and for the environment.

"Our Design Lab finalists' concepts take this further and use existing knowledge of trends to predict how we may be cooking, cooling and washing our clothes in 2050 - where the boxing-ring size home is more the norm than the exception."

The company has selected eight finalists from more than 1,300 entries from around the globe. One contender is the Clean Closet, the brainchild of Swedish designer Michael Edenius, which replaces several bulky household items.

Contest spokeswoman Susan Dean said: "The Clean Closet is a cupboard that cleans clothing. Textiles are scanned for impurities and cleaned accordingly with molecular technology that removes dirt and odours.

"The concept replaces the laundry basket, the washing machine and airing cupboard, saves space, and as no water is used, is kinder to the environment."

Another front-runner is the Eco Cleaner, conceived by Ahi Andy Mohsen from Iran. The portable dishwasher and composter uses ultrasonic waves to clean crockery and ionise food and turn it into reusable waste.

The most outlandish idea comes from Australian Daniel Dobrogorsky. It harnesses android cooks to a food ordering system that serves several apartments within a building.

"Daniel's Kitchen Hideaway is a virtual reality concept that allows the inhabitants of a building to imagine being in a kitchen, preparing a particular meal rather than having to actually do this for themselves," Dean said.