Contrarotator - Drum-contra Rotation

After revolutionizing the vacuum cleaner, Dyson set their sights on achieving the same for the washing machine. The answer for revolutionizing the washing machine was a contrarotator.

Also referred to as drum-contra rotation. When launched, it was the only washing machine drum which was capable of rotating in two directions at the same time.

The theory behind a drum which can rotate in twin directions, is that it can increase the efficiency of the wash. Apparently Dyson had researched the technique of washing garments.

Dyson's conclusion was that conventional washing machines were inefficient. And, that in practice, a person hand washing was more efficient.

The aim of the contrarotator was to replicate hand washing, a drum spinning in two directions, replicating two hands flexing and maneuvering the garments.

Apparently the problem with conventional drum cycling, is that a drum going in a single direction does not treat the garment harshly enough. The tumbling is fairly tame. Whereas with hand washing, the action is more energetic and fierce.

The one problem with Dyson's washing machine, at least when it was released, was the price. Costing in the region of £1000, it far exceeded the price of the competition.

In fact, one of the best reviewed washing machines, released by Bosch, only cost £500. Quite a few independent tests of Dyson's contra rotation (which), concluded that, although it performed well, it did not perform good enough to justify it's price tag.

As of 2010, it would appear that Dyson have stopped manufacturing their washing machines.