AquaTune

What it does

It tackles the issue of hard and unbalanced water in urban Indian households. While existing solutions lacks essential minerals and fails to balance the required pH levels, it uses the technique of electrolysis, in a compact structure to fill this gap.

Your inspiration

While living in my hostel in the city, I noticed many roommates using drinking water for bathing, as the hard water from taps left their hair and skin feeling dry and rough. This reflected on how poor water quality affects our everyday routines. I later visited a house using a purifying system that provides water for various purposes. Though useful, it was bulky and didn’t suit compact urban homes. As part of a college project to create a product for a premium brand, I found this problem aligned with the Dyson philosophy and envisioned a device that combines clean design, usability, and technology to improve water usage in modern households.

How it works

It's compact cylindrical form (18x7 cm) attaches directly to a wide variety of faucets using a flexible modular grip system, making installation easy. Internally, it uses a multi-stage purification system that included electrolysis chamber at the core of it's functionality, enabling the device to split water into multiple output streams. This allows users to select appropriate water type based on their need, whether it's gentle, slightly acidic (ph 4.5-6) for skincare, more acidic (ph 3-4.5) for sanitization, neutral water (pH 7) for cooking and medication, or mildly alkaline (pH 7-8.5) water for hydration and detox. It can also be integrated with the MyDyson app, to track from a distance and monitor the purifier’s filter and battery life. It has a dual-display interface on the top and front providing a comfortable control to the user. It also has a wireless magnetic charging ensures clutter-free operation.

Design process

The design process for this project began with close observation and validating those insights through feedback from users across various age groups. Many individuals even noted significant improvements in their overall health after switching from drinking RO or hard water to mineral-rich water with the right pH balance. With the problem clearly defined, I analyzed the functions, limitations, and user experiences of existing water purification products, like Kangen systems and RO purifiers to understand what functionalities could be applied to AquaTune. The conceptualization phase involved continuous sketching and ideation on form, internal functions, inlet and outlet water stream placement, along with material and finish. I focused on creating a design that would (a) fit seamlessly into compact urban kitchens and bathrooms, (b) require no permanent plumbing changes, and (c) remain portable and rechargeable for everyday convenience. Then I paid attention to the design of intuitive icons, display interfaces, and user interaction flows. While the current concept is visually and functionally grounded, I continue to gather user feedback to refine its practicality, ergonomics, and technical feasibility, ensuring AquaTune evolves into a truly versatile and user-centered product.

How it is different

AquaTune is envisioned as a modern solution to redefine personal wellness through water. Its compact, portable design allows users to effortlessly attach and detach it from various faucets across the home, making it ideal not only for daily use but also for travel and staycations. With built-in rechargeable functionality and a user-friendly smart interface, AquaTune eliminates the need for complex plumbing or permanent installations, making it a space-efficient solution. By replacing current, bulkier alternatives, AquaTune also promotes a more sustainable and versatile approach to personal and household water use.

Future plans

AquaTune holds strong potential for enhancement across functionality, usability, and market reach. The next phase involves developing refined prototypes under expert guidance and conducting real-world usability testing to evaluate how the product integrates into household settings. These insights will help identify areas improvements for optimizing performance, energy efficiency and product lifespan. In the long term, the goal is to evolve AquaTune into a fully realized product that also fits naturally within the Dyson ecosystem of smart home appliances.

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