What if your washing machine could identify the type of clothes you're washing and automatically adjust its settings? Recently, NXP Semiconductors showcased its smart washing machine prototype for the first time in Beijing. This model demonstrates NXP's advanced integration of RFID/NFC, power management ICs, 32-bit MCUs, TRIACs, capacitive touch, and LCD technology, all aimed at creating a more intelligent and energy-efficient home appliance. It also incorporates discrete components, power metering systems, temperature sensors, I2C buffers, and GPIO expanders, making it a comprehensive solution for smart appliances.
Mei Runping, global senior sales director for NXP’s semiconductor appliance application market, emphasized that this is the first time the semiconductor industry has brought such a wide range of technologies together in a single home appliance. “The trend toward smart appliances is growing rapidly,†he said. “But our exploration of two-way communication between devices is just beginning.†He added that NFC will become a standard feature in mobile phones and computers, and with proper software support, it can be easily integrated into home appliances, enabling seamless interaction between smart devices and household machines.
One of the most impressive features of the demonstration is the Fabric and Detergent Recognition function. The washing machine can read information about fabric type and color from RFID-enabled buttons, helping to prevent mixing white and dark clothes. It then optimizes the wash cycle based on the detected fabric and detergent. Another standout feature is the NFC-based maintenance function: authorized technicians can use an NFC-enabled smartphone to remotely diagnose the machine, change its settings, and access applications that communicate directly with service centers.
According to NXP, the top 10 global home appliance companies currently hold around 55% of the market. By 2015, demand for semiconductors in this sector was expected to grow by 15% annually, reaching $2 billion. Meanwhile, the small appliance market is highly fragmented, with the top 10 manufacturers capturing less than 40% of the share. Profits are concentrated in high-end products like espresso machines. To meet the challenges and opportunities of the Internet of Things, NXP restructured its organization to create a dedicated vertical division focused on Appliance, Energy, and Automation (AEA).
Beyond fabric recognition and NFC, the demonstration model also includes a user interface for managing complex washing programs. It uses the 32-bit LPC1227 microcontroller based on the ARM Cortex-M0 platform. Mei Runping explained that integrating RFID and NFC into home appliances allows smart washing machines to offer multiple settings for different temperatures, cycles, and fabrics—all controlled by a single board.
Compared to traditional 8-bit MCUs, the LPC1227 offers about 50% higher code density. Its internal 1% accuracy RC oscillator can drive high-current GPIOs, and it features a deterministic partitioning algorithm in ROM, along with IEC 60730 safety certification. As part of the demo, NXP also showed how the LPC1227 can directly control the BTA316 TRIAC and ACT108 without needing additional drivers.
Other highlights of the demonstration include:
1. The GreenChip TEA1721 switching power supply controller with integrated MOSFETs, consuming less than 10 mW in standby mode and waking up quickly.
2. The ability to monitor and display power consumption, transmitting data to service centers or utility providers.
3. Support for IEEE 802.15.4 wireless communication with smart meters or energy gateways using FCC and ETS-compliant modules with the JN5148 low-power wireless controller. These modules support various protocol stacks, including ZigBee PRO, JenNet-IP (6LoWPAN), and RF4CE remote control.
This smart washing machine represents a significant step forward in the integration of IoT technologies into everyday household appliances.
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