Video of a functional prototype, with updated design for CES 2019.
From online research, in person interviews, and surveys, the frog team realized most people have misconceptions about dishwashers. Many believed that the dishwasher is less efficient than hand washing, and complained that their dishwashers don't wash the dishes well, caused by over loading and/or leaving dishes in the machines for too long.
"What if a dishwasher can be really small and works really fast?"
Graphite electrodes for Heatworks Ohmic Array. Image from Heatworks.
Unlike the traditional heaters that use heating elements, Heatworks Ohmic Array uses graphite electrodes to excite the water molecules, using water itself as a heating element.
By using graphite electrodes, there aren't parts to corrode or build up limescale that could cause the heater to eventually fail.
Benefits of ohmic array are: purer water heating technology, precise temperature control, and near-zero lag in heating time.
frog team took the technology their clients had developed, and found another perfect use case that will enable a new user behavior - a micro dishwasher for small households.
Tetra is a micro countertop dishwasher for a small household. Powered by Heatworks Ohmic Array technology, Tetra can complete the wash cycle in 10 minutes.
Faucet connections are not required and water is loaded by hand so users know exactly how much water is being used - about a half a gallon per load.
Tetra comes equipped with a basic wash cycle setting, but it can be customized with modular dish racks and through it's companion app that allows fully configurable cycle options depending on the users needs.
At CES 2019, frog and Heatworks showcased an updated version Tetra in a working prototype stage, with improved ergonomics and usability.
