This device not only saves water but also encourages better hand washing habits

Colombian designer Ana Maria Gonzalez Londoño and Iranian designer Farshad Saffari Ghandehari have imagined a user-friendly product called Washi, which promotes proper hand washing and better water usage habits. Washi is a portable, waterproof device that helps people improve their hygiene and water-saving behaviours with the use of nudge techniques that encourage behavioural improvement. Washi does this by using proximity sensors, time monitoring and easy to understand visual cues. “It has been said that the best way to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria is by washing hands. It seems like a simple activity, but studies show that most people wash their hands incorrectly. During the Coronavirus pandemic, to motivate people to do a thorough wash, techniques such as measuring time by songs were employed. This behaviour, though successful, can become monotonous or easy to forget over time. In addition to under washing, there is the issue of over washing, which can cause inflammation of the skin due to dryness,” states Ghandehari.

User Friendly Interface

The Washi system comes with a suction cup that allows it to be positioned on different surfaces and locations. Its technological simplicity and easy operation enables it to be used by both adults and children. Washi features a circular screen with light blue visuals and interchangeable covers. It consists of two primary modes of operation. The first mode was designed to enhance hand washing, and the second was aimed at saving water that could be utilised in washbasins as well as showers.

Proper Hand Washing

In its first mode, the Washi system triggers its sensor and displays a 20-second timer on its screen, while visually instructing how to properly wash hands. If the sensor detects proximity for the entire 20 seconds, positive feedback is provided with a smiling face visual to communicate that your hand washing was done properly.

“If proximity remains to be detected, the monitor will warn of unnecessary use of water, and if it ceases detecting proximity before the 20 seconds pass, the timer will proceed quickly but will ultimately display a sad face depicting that the hand washing was not done thoroughly. This mode gives Washi the ability to be used as an environmentally sustainable hygiene device in homes and public areas such as schools,” adds Gonzalez Londoño.

Saving Water

The second mode of Washi can be triggered manually with a rotating wheel, which allows the setting of a personal time goal and can be used for activities such as brushing or showering. In this mode, the screen of Washi shows an outline of a water droplet that gets filled as the time elapses.

“We needed an innovative product, but had to keep it inexpensive to increase its popularity and impact. To be able to solve this challenge, we had to refine the design and simplify the systems and interfaces as much as possible. Another challenge was thinking of usability and integrated functions within the product. We designed Washi in a way that makes it useful during a pandemic scenario and even after the pandemic, for everyone in a family. Washi is just a concept for now, but we are building its first prototype,” concluded Farshad Saffari.

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