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A washing machine that is connected to the Internet and downloads individual wash cycles on-line has been launched by Korean firm LG Electronics.
The frequency of wash, spin and rinse on the Internet LG Turbo Drum Washing Machine is downloaded from the Internet and set for different wash loads. The world's first fully commercial digital washing machine, it took more than 30 researchers three years to develop.
LG Electronics has taken out 107 patents on the product worldwide. The machine has a 4.2-inch LCD window and 4 Mbit flash memory.
It also runs LGE's own software called IOP to connect the washing machine to the Internet. Through a communication cable that comes with the machine, it can be linked to a PC to find a washing programme suitable for the type of clothes placed in it.
Programmes are downloaded from a special Internet Turbodrum washing machine Web site. With just a click of the load button, a new washing programme can be stored in the machine.
And when a terminal for the home network and access modem currently under development are added, householders will be able to control and monitor the washing machine's operation from a remote location.
LG Electronics is currently developing a wide range of digital home products. In June, it introduced the Internet refrigerator where with a LCD screen, the refrigerator can be used to surf the Internet and as a video phone.
Within the next year, LGE will be introducing an Internet microwave oven where all cooking information from recipes and ingredient tips to cooking times can be downloaded from the Internet.
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