Amazon Dash: Smart dishwasher does the detergent shopping for you

Whirlpool is linking up its range of new refrigerators and dishwashers to Amazon Dash, so they can order replacement products automatically.

The new machines, to be unveiled this week at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), can calculate when you’ll need more detergent based on the number of loads you’ve done. When the time comes, the machine will just order more from Amazon.

Users can also monitor usage on the Whirlpool mobile app, available on iOS and Android.

The appliances also have Nest integration, allowing the “away” status to activate features like energy-saving and anti-wrinkle mode.

Amazon’s Dash works as Wi-Fi-connected buttons that you can fix to any household surface for one-click re-ordering of items like detergent or bottled water.

Dash Replenishment Service (DRS),announced in October, takes it one step further and allows product manufacturers to link their connected devices with Amazon’s Dash API.

Whirlpool, as well as Brother and Brita, were among the first DRS partners announced by Amazon, and at CES, Whirlpool will demonstrate what a DRS hookup will mean for Whirlpool owners.

Whirlpool products have linked up with Nest devices, meanwhile, since 2014. Whirlpool can communicate with Nest to be alerted about high energy usage, for example, and your washer or dryer will then delay the start of the cycle until a more energy-efficient time.

The dishwasher is part of a whole line of new connected appliances Whirlpool is introducing at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas. When it hits the market, it will cost $950 (roughly converting to £645 in the UK and AU$1,320 in Australia), and I hope to have a few more details on the dishwasher itself after I get some hands on time with it at the show.