Calor is a smart faucet system that safely and efficiently delivers your desired water temperature with a temperature sensor and promotes a mindful approach to water use.
Every time you shower at a hotel, a gym or anywhere other than your house, how many times do you need to adjust the faucet handle before you get your desired temperature? Most likely more than once. In fact even in your house, you probably still need a few adjustments. The major problem with these turn-based shower fixture is that there is no standard and consistency across brand and models, and —with season as an additional factor—turning on the shower is inconsistent and unpredictable, leading to a waste of effort, time and water (as well as a chance of getting hurt by scalding water!).
The idea of Calor came from the desire to create a more efficient shower experience through the use of sensor technology.
Justeen Lee(Zhendong Li)
Current market offers faucet fixtures/systems with either simple yet limited functions at a low cost or high-end at a high cost up to $5000, not including any cost for installing or pipe rerouting.
After disassembling a fixture and understanding how a valve and a cartridge work together, I decided to approach the design as a means of improving an existing experience.
I began to explore some organic/dynamic forms that would also break with the typical handle-turning faucet/fixture model.
I also developed an interface that would be able to provide feedback to users as they set the temperature. After a lot of refining, I ended up with a clean interface, giving a user information quickly and succinctly, not overwhelming with complexity. I kept the "turning-a-nob" interaction because it connects back to the typical form and maintains the interaction of turning a handle.
An accompanying app connects with Calor to expand the function and service of a typical shower fixture, before and after the shower. According to a survey I conducted, 1/3 of people keep their phone with them while they wait for hot water. Therefore, I wanted to harness this existing pattern while making the phone more useful to the task at hand by giving the user suggestions and collecting/compiling data. The system allows you to set the desired temperature and be alerted when it is reached (so you can be answering emails, for example, in the meantime). It also track the water usage of the whole family on a daily, monthly and yearly basis. Reference sheets allow you to see leading recommendations for leading a more efficient, green lifestyle. Over time, you develop a personal profile that keeps track of your water usage and money savings.
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