Electrolux Design Lab is an annual global design competition in which industrial design students from around the world can present their views and ideas for household appliances of the future. There are three main criteria, which projects must meet: to be sensitive to the environment, providing intuitive ease of use and aesthetic appeal. The contest is held since 2003.

This year, for the first time, were selected ten instead of the usual eight projects. Winners will be announced on October 25, 2012 in Milan, and will be awarded as follows: first prize is € 5,000 and a six-month paid internship at Electrolux global design center, second prize is € 3,000, and third – € 2,000.

Besides the official awards, People’s Choice award will be announced. Anyone can vote for their favorite project on Electrolux Design Lab 2012 website. The designer, whose project collected the most votes will receive ULTRAMIX/PRO stick mixer.

View the projects of ten Electrolux Design Lab 2012 finalists and choose your favorite.

01. Aeroball

https://youtu.be/9Q64nmtc09k

The Aeroball is a revolutionary way to improve the spaces in which we live. In tiny bubbles that float and hover, the Aeroball cleans and filters the air while hovering in place. When filtration is not enough, the Aeroball also comes in scented varieties. Designed with inspiration from nature, the glowing shell of the sphere absorbs light during the day and radiates at night, a delicate indoor firefly always working to improve the air that we breathe. Space is such a valuable commodity these days so the Aeroball works to purify and refresh the environments we live in more precious and beautiful.

• Country: Poland
• Author: Jan Ankiersztajn
• University: University of Arts in Poznań/li>

02. Easystir

https://youtu.be/H9zBw7Odl3o

The Easystir stirs your perfectly planned dinner for you so your hands are free to make the most of life. By utilising magnets that react to your induction stove the Easystir will literally save you time and money by never needing to be charged, batteries replaced or plugged into a wall socket. The stirring speed can be adjusted easily by the user; while the Easystir adjusts itself to fit into almost any pot. It’s compact, dishwasher safe and can be stored as simply and neatly as any other kitchen utensil. While Easystir is working hard in the kitchen you are free to spend more time with your friends and family.

• Country: Norway
• Author: Lisa Frodadottir Låstad
• University: Norwegian University of Science and Technology

03. ICE

https://youtu.be/zRiz3p7Nf7k

ICE sheds new light on the world of cooking. ICE can not only be used as basic lamp with adjustable brightness or colour to fit the mood of any dining occasion. “Experience” is one mode used to enhance your meal by adding interactive backgrounds that react to you movements and creating dynamic links between objects on the table. When placed above any cooking or dining area ICE can scan its surroundings and assist the user in creating the best meal to suit any occasion. ICE can scan ingredients you’ve already chosen to cook and give suggestions on meals that can be made from those ingredients. The user can also access a vast database of recipes and ICE will guide you every step of the way. ICE is a great way to learn and experience a whole new world of cooking in your own home.

• Country: Spain
• Author: Julen Pejenaute
• University: Universidad Politecnica de Valencia

04. Mo’Sphere

https://youtu.be/otlUO0_R87s

The excitement and adventure of creating something new is what makes cooking fun. Mo’Sphere allows the user to experiment with and experience new flavours and sensations through the exciting world of molecular cooking, which up till now has been dominated by celebrity chefs and Five Star restaurants. This molecular cooking appliance makes use of physical and chemical reactions during cooking. The result? Flash freezing, foams, frosts, gelés and even cotton candy. With Mo’Sphere your kitchen becomes a place of exciting new creations and tastes the like you’ve never known.

• Country: Mexico
• Author: Yunuén Hernández
• University: Centro de Investigaciones de Diseño Industrial- UNAM

05. SmartPlate

https://youtu.be/xNpU9ZtJT_4

Share the recipe of sound with SmartPlate. SmartPlate is the world’s first intelligent dish that physically understands food and transforms it into sound, completing the circle of senses by which we understand what we eat. The plate wirelessly connects to your mobile device, then by measuring different aspects of your ingredients it identifies food and precisely attaches musical notes, harmonies and rhythm to each ingredient. The user can actively listen, compose and interact with recipes of sound, sharing the experience in the most intimate way: by music.

• Country: UK/Romania
• Author: Julian Caraulani
• University: Coventry University

06. Spummy

https://youtu.be/VRqOmhMjEfs

The Spummy is the future of flavour creation. Using nano-technology the Spummy creates edible foam with any flavour or combination of flavours you can imagine. With endless possibilities of flavour combinations this is the perfect tool for those looking to impress. Spummy is inspired by Ferran Adrià, the inventor of flavoured foam that helped win him Restaurant of the Year four years in a row. With the Spummy the future of 5 star cuisine is possible in your own home.

• Country: Brazil
• Author: Alexandre de Bastiani
• University: Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná

07. Treat

https://youtu.be/L_5_HodoOwY

The Treat seamlessly combines classic food storage techniques, such as vacuum sealing, with modern remote, mobile technology for the perfect combination of freshness and convenience that is more important than ever in our increasingly busy lives. The treat has a clever and intuitive way of communicating and warning you when your food is expiring by firstly, changing colour as the food ages and finally dropping from the tree when the food has expired. You can even access the Treat with a mobile app and tell it to preheat your meal before you even get home. Treat yourself to fresher food and more of your own valuable time with The Treat.

• Country: Australia
• Author: Amy Mon-Chu Liu
• University: Queensland University of Technology

08. Impress

https://youtu.be/sCEsBS-KcgE

How many times have you put left overs in the fridge and forgotten about them, only to come back a week later and find them spoiled? Impress completely transforms the way we refrigerate. Impress is a refrigeration wall that holds your food and drinks for you, out in the open and not behind closed doors so you will always remember the lunch you prepared for work or find that midnight snack with ease. Also, Impress refrigerator does not refrigerate when there is nothing in it and uses less power the fewer items are pressed into it. Waste no more leftovers, waste less space and save more money with Impress.

• Country: New Zealand
• Author: Ben de la Roche
• University: Massey University

09. Memory

https://youtu.be/q8ncoZY2wtQ

A small but important part of many people’s lives is the intimacy of having a barista who remembers who you are and more importantly how you have your coffee. Memory is a coffee maker that uses hand print recognition to make the right cup of coffee for the right person. Whether you want weak, medium or strong coffee or maybe you prefer an espresso to a ristretto. Any way that you might think the perfect cup of coffee is made, Memory will remember every time. You tell it what you want, it scans your hand and the next time you want that exact same cup of coffee Memory is ready and waiting to serve it to you.

• Country: China
• Author: WenYao Cai
• University: Guangdong Industry Technical College of China

10. Tastee

https://youtu.be/bxGX144ytkw

Don’t you wish you had the sophisticated palette of a professional chef? The Electrolux Tastee is a taste indicator that is used when cooking to assist the chef in bringing out the flavours in the meal. The Tastee is the shape and size of a regular spoon but with one main difference, The Tastee tastes for you. Using receptors based on the human taste bud the Tastee tells you what you need, what you don’t and maybe even something you would never imagine. Tastee helps you make the perfectly balanced, flavourful meal for you and your family to enjoy.

• Country: Denmark
• Author: Christopher Holm-Hansen
• University: Technical University of Denmark