Ok, a tap I actually haven’t used, but it looks weird enough to think about the fun and toil moments with it.
"… On top of the frosted ripple
surface sits a metal ball. An array of electromagnetic sensors detects
that ball’s position. Moving the ball in or out from the center controls
water pressure. Moving it around [left hot – right cold] controls temperature.
The
surface glows red or blue to denote how hot or cold it is. The two
separate channels combine the hot and cold water to get the perfect mix… " Yanko Design – From beyond function, Water Ball Ripples, 27.2.2008
This tap is really nice looking, probably funny to play with and a piece of equipment to show to visitors. But it has some flaws (or disadvantages) as well, so I think not everyone would adopt it:
- the ball seems easy to lose (think of kids … ok and the rest of us) or drop down the drain (look at one on the photo)
- it would be hard to clean water stone from the water canals and also the canals where the ball moves
- handling it with wet (and soapy) hands would leave a mess (not to say this doesn’t happen with every tap, but with the regular tap pouring some water over it would do; with this one the water stays in the canals)
- it cannot fit on an ordinary sink
- not sure if mixing really works as with every tap without an aerator I used so far I had a feeling that water was scolding and freezing my hands at the same time (my own peculiarity)
- it needs electricity as well – so aside a plumber, fitting would need to be done also by an electrician
- it is probably more prone to faults as more complex parts are used
Designer: Smith Newnam & Touch360 Studio"
