Comments on: Automatic Wudu Washer

By: Ali Saeed

Ali Saeed — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:20:07 +0000

People who can afford this can also afford to waste water and vice versa. If used as a teaching tool for new converts, it’s amazing. If it’s the conservation of water that we are after, than we need something that teaches us to improve our behavior, so maybe a regular tap that displays mL of water usage & every time we will try to improve.

By: Fawzy Manaa

Fawzy Manaa — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:00:24 +0000

Talha, but then again, I think a modification in the design can be achieved to disclude some of the less needed features such as the one you mentioned (although I know we’re talking about a product that already integrates the feature into it)… The main idea is the conservation of water.

By: fezzik

fezzik — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:50:54 +0000

I think we have a tendency to romanticize the past. I’m not sure why but we associate doing things the way they were done in the past as more authentic or genuine (I know you’re not suggesting that..you’re suggesting the direct accountability piece makes it more genuine), but just as a general observation something I sometimes think about is why we think reverting back to our roots is more genuine than using current methods to reach the same end.

Hey, it’d be pretty cool if each time we made wudu, there would be a meter with an LED display that would show how much water we’ve used. Would probably be much cheaper than this $4,000/piece machine

By: Talha

Talha — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:25:33 +0000

Insightful blog post – although I think it’s a bit overkill in some aspects, especially with the indicators that tell you which body parts to wash next.

I think people would know which wudhu step is coming next…unless they’re half asleep.

By: Tank

Tank — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:18:40 +0000

Interesting gadget.. haha. It could actually be very useful, but I’d imagine there’s a big price tag as well that wouldn’t offset the cost of overusing the water. Environmentally it might have more merit. I think it might be better suited to just make people conscious of their wudu behaviour with simple signs on the wall. Just having print outs reminding everyone not to turn the washroom into a fish tank for the good of the environment, the building, and fellow Muslims

By: Musa

Musa — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:43:36 +0000

Check out the press release on this product:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N_V85eZv-g&feature=related

- unrealistic price point in my opinion

Better Alternative: Just put sensors on all taps.
– Cheaper
– Would reach out to more people
– Practical

By: Nabil

Nabil — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:49:13 +0000

In this age we are buffeted by so many marketing campaigns that I think using this washer, which provides physical interaction, in shopping malls and masjids as an educational tool is pretty smart in making an impact.

Due to the fractured condition of our society, there is also the suspicion that the average Muslim holds for the legitimacy of random posters quoting supposedly authentic Hadith. A physical product like washer will reinforce legitimacy (i.e. “some reputable organization has to be behind this if they’ve gone this far”).

By: Aatif

Aatif — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:57:23 +0000

Simple, cheap, low-power electronics: LEDs, sensors
Assuming made out of recyclable plastic/steel
Anti-bacteria
1.5L/wash – sensor activated taps, nice touch
From a technical design perspective, good job!

One technical issue I can see with this product is the foot bath. Seems a bit high and may pose issues for physically challenged/seniors. Also, given the lack of water and how much water their demographic are familiar to using, what makes you think they won’t stay there and use it a few times to satisfy their thirst, thus holding up the line.

Social design, not so much… but this is the hardest part.
I know many may use the hadith that the water that drips from you during wudu is a blessing (can’t remember the exact one, but I’m sure you’ve heard something similar before). It’s taken a bit far when you have people pretty much bathing in the sink/station.

Proposal: Place a low flow faucet aerator (ie. a small steel cap to act like a shower) on the faucets of all wudu sinks/stations currently available and mechanically restrict the valve opening to a certain degree to save water yet still deliver a desired pressure (design holes in aerator accordingly). This would both conserve water and have the user comfortable with their wudu. This solution could probably be done for around $2-3/tap, while keeping the current infrastructure in place. A main fall back to this is there it doesn’t restrict time at the wudu station, but hopefully the user will be satisfied with the pressure so they wouldn’t need to be there long. Also, the anti-bacteria is a nice one, but most likely that is already in the masjid custodian’s duties.

Seems like the common thing is everyone wish there was a way to institute a social change rather than develop a compromising technology. Out of the two, developing the technology is the easy way out and can deliver appropriate results, but not necessarily helping with sustainabile change. I would prefer a cheaper solution made and potential overhead money be used on developing a social marketing campaign to encourage Muslims to review their consumption and develop methods (not tech) to facilitate the change. This campaign could affect consumption in not only wudu, but various other areas (given its a shift in mindset). For example, a masjid could host a 1-pint campaign, where you do wudu with 1-pint of water. I know it’s more than a mudd, but baby steps… just throwing out ideas here

By: Aatif

Aatif — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:17:00 +0000

Haven’t even looked at the video yet, but:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd8xkD2xS0

Reply to follow soon

By: Addy

Addy — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:11:10 +0000

A great idea, only now we need for one for consumer use.