Sep 10 2008
Combining functions - hybrid products
Our colleagues at Popsci have written a nice article about products that combine two functions into one new product. Such products are called hybrids and some are more successful in combining functions then others. Some examples from the Popsci site.
Examples
The Homepub is a combination of the function of ‘refrigerator‘ and ‘tap‘. In the front door you can get a fresh glass of beer while the inside works like a normal refrigerator. Not a bad idea, many people have a tap at home these days and it is a big and clumbsy product. It seems to be a compact solution.
Photo by Asko
The second example combines the function of ‘air freshener‘ and ‘security system‘. Within the air freshener a security camera is built in that can record all imagery. Must be nasty when you find out that your air freshener is stolen! Not such a successful combination, as these products or often not positioned in strategic places against burglars.
The next product combines not two but four functions; aromatherapy burner, speaker, AM/FM radio and color changing LED light. You can hook this device up on your USB port or use batteries. Another example of one of those products the world does not need!
Photo by Brando
The next example combines the function of ‘washing machine‘ and ‘toilet‘. It uses the water of the washing machine to flush the toilet. You better close the lid if you are going to collect your cloths. But apart from the practical problems such as the height or the limited advantage if you want to wash four different washes, the ideas is not that bad. It could save quite some water, but this can also be achieved by just pumping the water afterwards in the toilet reservoir. The water couThis washing machine flushes valuable water down the toilet, literally. A notable mention in the Greener Gadgets Design Competition 2008, the prototype stores water after each washing cycle, which is then used to flush the toilet below it. In addition to its eco-friendly aspects, it is also a good space saver.
Photo by Core 77
The next example combines a ‘mirror‘ function with a ‘radio‘ function. For those people who want to have music in the morning while showering it is a good solution. There are small radios for in the bathroom but the quality is quite crappy.
Photo by Zadro
The last hybrid combines the function of ’shower’ and ‘tanner’. This is a good example of successful hybrid. Manny people spend time under a tanner just to get brown. Now they can tan every day while taking a shower.
Photo by ProSun
When is a hybrid successful?
In the successful examples all the hybrids combined two functions that fulfilled a need. Nobody is waiting for an air freshener with a camera! But the shower and tanner combine two functions that are similar: hygiene and wellness, but it also saves time for many people. So far all of you that are developing hybrids, make sure the functions you combine address a real need and don’t develop wacky hybrids that nobody is waiting for.
