Hard pressed families could soon get the chance to rent out their washing machine to neighbors — Uber style.

    Household appliance* brand Electrolux suggests smart technology could allow people to take up the role of modern day washerwoman to help pay the bills.

    The arrival of smart kitchen appliances that connect to the web and can be controlled via smartphone will revolutionize household chores. And, in theory, a family could allow their neighbors or strangers to book a slot in their washing machine via an online timetable. Obviously, this would come with a charge and the family might then offer additional ironing services at a fee.

    The idea of “Uber for laundry” has been floated by the new chief executive of the Swedish company, Jonas Samuelson, who is pushing the take-up of smart appliances.

    These appliances, washing machines, dishwashers and TVs, along with heating systems and lighting can be controlled via a home hub, touchscreen or even voice command. Amazon, for example, has created Alexa, a talking personal assistant who can be asked to control household devices.

    Samuelson said: “We have a few fun ideas we are testing, like: how about a laundry Uber, where people share their unused laundry time?” But, he accepted there are “enormous complexities,” such as “what happens if the clothes come out and are ruined?” Samuelson said the Swedish group is “very open to experimentation.” He said Electrolux’s role in a “laundry Uber” would go well beyond merely providing the washing machines. “You would need intelligent communication in the machines,” he said.(SD-Agencies)