Dishwasher, DWB, Honda Scooter, Puffer Design, Rivian #221 / September 22, 2023 (Fri) / Confidential |
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It seems like electronic devices are unexpectedly reaching the end of their lives. My refrigerator, which had been sitting in the garage, suddenly lost its cooling power overnight. Additionally, my trusty dishwasher, which had been with us for a short 13 years, also bid its farewell. We initially thought it was a simple issue with the drain pump when it stopped draining water, so my husband and I tried replacing the parts by following YouTube tutorials, but unfortunately, it still didn't work. It seemed more like a motor or mother board issue, so we decided to call it quits and immediately went into shopping mode.
In Korea, it's often easy to get appliances repaired with just a few phone calls when they break down. However, in the United States, calling a repair service for electronic and especially appliance repairs can cost anywhere from $150 to $250 for just a diagnosis. While you may get a refund if you choose to proceed with the repair, in most cases, the cost is not significantly lower than buying a brand new product. That's why, when faced with the decision, we found it much more practical to replace our 10+ year-old appliances with shiny new ones.
Amid the recent record-breaking inflation, monthly living expenses have increased by approximately $500. With gas prices also soaring to $6 per gallon (approximately 2,107 Korean won per liter), Americans are adopting a habit of reducing dining out and cooking at home. In fact, over the past six months, due to inflation, more than half of Americans have been cutting back on dining out and opting to cook at home, resulting in increased demand for dishwashers (finding them on sale has been quite a challenge, though!).
Considering the purchase of a new dishwasher after 13 years, we've identified the two most important factors that Americans prioritize.
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1. 3rd Rack
Located at the very top, but aptly named the "3rd Rack," this section is primarily used to store utensils, chopsticks, ladles, and other kitchen tools. It's a favorite among many women who appreciate the convenience it offers. This section ensures that even without individually washing countless spoons and chopsticks that pile up during cooking, they come out perfectly clean! Many models allow you to adjust the depth between the sides of the 3rd rack by pressing a button, allowing you to add deeper utensils and tools like small ladles or large spoons. Whether this feature is included or not can make a significant difference in price, with variations of $200 to $300.
2. How about the drying process?
Dishwashers have evolved into machines that cater to consumers' hygiene concerns, offering features like high-temperature wash and steam functions, going beyond their traditional role of just washing dishes.
In the past, after the dishwasher cycle ended, users would manually open the door and pull out the racks to let the dishes air dry. Nowadays, an "Auto Release" feature has been added. This means that when the cycle is finished, the door opens automatically at a specific angle, allowing the dishes to dry on their own overnight. This feature can add over $700 or more to the price, and there is also a possibility of malfunctions associated with it.
The brand dishwasher I purchased features a distinctive function called 'CrystalDry,' which played a significant role in my choice. This innovative technology doesn't rely on electricity or HVAC systems to generate heat for drying. Instead, it vents out the remaining moisture after the dishwashing cycle and combines it with natural minerals to transform it into heat energy, reaching temperatures of 80 degrees Celsius (176 degrees Fahrenheit) for effective drying. This method efficiently dries glass, metal, ceramics, and plastic dishes, and the minerals used don't require replenishing, making it a long-lasting and satisfying choice.
I've considered the idea of applying CrystalDry technology to electric vehicles, and it seems like a promising option to enhance energy efficiency and extend the driving range. By utilizing minerals and moisture to generate heat without relying on electricity, it could potentially provide a more sustainable and efficient way to manage energy in electric vehicles. This innovative approach could contribute to reducing energy consumption and increasing the overall efficiency of electric vehicles, making them even more appealing in terms of range and environmental impact.🤔 |
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Features that take climate change and energy efficiency into account, such as "Half Mode" where only half of the resources are used, "Eco Mode" for even greater savings, and "60-Minute Mode" for quicker cycles, are expected to continue to captivate American consumers. These functionalities are likely to provide not only convenience but also a sense of joy and satisfaction as they align with the growing awareness of environmental responsibility and the desire to reduce energy consumption. |
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🤗 Contents of this week
01 Consumer Trend - DWB Auto" Shines a Light on Racial Disparities in Policing
02 Design Inspiration - Honda Unveils Electric Scooter as Slim as a Document Bag
03 Automotive Weekly - Puffer Design / Rivian is doing better than others |
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01 Consumer Trend - DWB Auto" Shines a Light on Racial Disparities in Policing
"The transparent door can detect concealed weapons, and the steering wheel, which detects the driver's hands at 10 and 2 o'clock positions without contact, features a fingerprint scanning function. To avoid any reasonable suspicion, the glovebox and trunk have been completely removed, and at the police's request, the driver's driver's license and registration information can be displayed on the screen at any time."
At the Detroit Motor Show, it's not the concept cars but rather a concept beyond cars that's garnering attention. This model, known as DWB (Driving While Black), highlights a stark reality where automotive manufacturers tend to focus predominantly on safety issues such as collision prevention, visibility enhancement, and blind-spot detection while failing to provide innovative solutions for the societal problems faced by Black drivers. It aims to raise awareness and consciousness about these issues.
The nonprofit organization Courageous Conversation Global Foundation is using this concept to shed light on the dangers Black drivers face in the United States. In particular, the removal of the glovebox serves as a reminder of the tragic incident involving Philando Castile, who reached for his driver's license and registration in his glovebox, only to be fatally shot by the police.
Black drivers residing in the United States are 20% more likely to be subject to surveillance and searches than other racial groups, and they face a threefold higher risk of death due to police encounters. From minor traffic infractions to fatal incidents, the profiling of Black drivers by the police is a common occurrence, affecting not only Black individuals but also people of all races.
For those who aren't directly impacted by police violence, it might be challenging to imagine the daily inequalities and risks faced by Black and other minority drivers. By reframing the issue through the lens of a unique automobile concept, it's hoped that a shift in perspective from the conventional safety features of peculiar car models to addressing social issues will highlight the real problems at hand and lead to broader awareness, understanding, and subsequent change in behavior.
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02 Design Inspiration - Honda Unveils Electric Scooter as Slim as a Document Bag
Honda unveiled a EV scooter called the "Motocompacto" in November, set to be sold in the United States for $995. This unique scooter boasts an appearance reminiscent of a document bag and features compact dimensions, measuring 94mm in width, 536mm in height, and 742mm in length. It occupies very little space and can be fully charged in just 3 hours and 30 minutes using a standard 110V outlet. The Motocompacto will be available for purchase in the United States starting in November. |
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Due to its weight of 18.7 kg (41.3 pounds), it seems challenging to use the Motocompacto for last-mile transportation. Instead, it appears to be more suitable as an urban commuting option, especially for residents of apartment buildings with elevators. While Honda has suggested ideal use cases for on-campus mobility, there are potential vulnerabilities such as theft to consider.
Personally, I find the design of the Motocompo, which hasn't been sold in the United States since the 1980s, much more iconic. If purchased for corporate use, additional graphics on the side areas could be used for branding purposes.
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What Do Americans Think About Motocompacto?
- As someone who uses a scooter daily, I find it convenient for occasional city excursions with friends, making it easy to put in the car for transport. However, I have some concerns about its low ground clearance. I worry that it might look a bit odd for someone over 6 feet tall, resembling riding a unicycle like an elephant.
- It would have been even better if it had more similarities to the original Motocompo. If it could be modified with Gachaco to extend the battery for longer commutes, it could be suitable for daily commuting.
- If information regarding its achievable speed, comfort, and range were provided, there would likely be considerable demand.
- Judging by the size of the seat and the wheel size, it appears that one might have to absorb significant road shocks with their body.
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03 Automotive Weekly A - Puffer Design
3D art designer Hugo Fournier has unofficially designed a cozy Porsche filled with a smooth and tactile fabric-like feel. As a result, the cold metal exterior combines with an elegant, soft sofa-inspired design sensibility, creating a Porsche with a completely different feel, enhanced with a touch of sporty fashion sense. |
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This Puffer Design trend is also evident in recent collaborations like the one between Marco SimoNetti and Nike. These items, designed in harmony with the surrounding environment, offer a comfortable atmosphere while delivering unique design sensibilities. They are created using AI-generated design, catering to skiers exploring snow-covered landscapes. Based on the concept of combining 2D and 3D, they provide an unexpectedly organic and nature-friendly feel. Through various AI-based collaborations like this, it's exciting to anticipate creative designs that go beyond the standard design conventions and push the boundaries. |
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03 Automotive Weekly B - Revealing its prominence among EV startups, Revian stands out.
Due to the price war initiated by Tesla, EV startups in the United States are facing significant challenges in launching electric models. Among them, Revian is showing the most remarkable performance. According to Experian, in just one month, July, over 2,750 Revians were registered, and by July of this year, more than 18,000 Revians had been registered, excluding Amazon delivery vans.
Comparing the performance of other startups, Lucid only registered 7,800 units, VinFast managed just 170 units, and Fisker, which delivered its first cars to the United States in June, only reached 30 registrations. With startups facing such challenges, there is growing speculation that the U.S. EV market may experience a slowdown in the future. Approximately 40% of conservative buyers are hesitant to purchase EVs, 39% of U.S. car buyers have concerns about new technology, and household financial burdens are increasing due to high interest rates and inflation. Additionally, EVs are still relatively expensive compared to gasoline cars, making it challenging to rapidly increase market share.
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The phrase Korean people dislike the most is "Don't be upset, but just listen," and the one they should avoid saying the most is "Why, did I say something wrong?" One of the ways to communicate more charmingly with others is to remove frequently used adverbs from your speech or replace them with different words.
Many young Koreans attach "개" (meaning "dog" and used as an intensifier) to words to express extreme emotions. However, while it may sound fresh and innovative at first, using it too frequently can become tiresome and cliché. How about replacing frequently used adverbs with more imaginative expressions? Instead of saying, "The water is freaking cold", you can say, "After taking a sip of cold water, I feel like I just did the Ice Bucket Challenge", which can make you a more captivating speaker.
Wishing you a happy Chuseok holiday, and see you next week! (Happy Chuseok!)
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Written by Jenna Chwee
Kia Design Center America
jchwee@hatci.com
101 Peters Canyon Rd. Irvine, CA 92606
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