I don't know where to put this thread except there should be an Other Appliance Related Topics section which of course is not on here. I believe if I'm correct that Hoover stopped making clothes washers but if they still made washers they should have made a next generation version of the Keymatic washers but instead of using keyplates they would use cards with chips on them similar or identical to the access cards used on digital satellite TV receivers. Also the idea would involve not only pre-programmed cards but also cards with a thin film EPROM (erasable/programmable read only memory) chip that you can insert into the slot on the washer & program yourself. I would probably be called a Keytronic Or Cardtronic instead of a Keymatic
Post# 397232 , Reply# 1   12/3/2009 at 02:23 (5,250 days old) by rapunzel(Sydney)  
Microchips offer much greater flexibility than keyplates and are already built into most machines, thus eliminating the need for removable cards. The problem with keyplates is that they can be misplaced, rendering the washer unusable either until they are found or replaced. Many washing machines offer consumers the option of factory pre-set cycles, or personalized cycles that can be easily programmed by end-users. Neat idea though.
Many commercial machines already use chips (in cards or racks, depending on the kind of machine)
I'm aware that most of commercial miele washer extractors have a slot to plug in smart cards. Usually to upload special programmes as wetcleaning or fire brigade clothes/gear
"Dishwasher-like" washers (lab-washers, surgery washers and so on detect the chip on every rack they receive, then run the proper wash/disinfection cycle and use the right chemicals for that very load. My guess is that even E'lux Wascator and Smeg Professional use similar devices
(BTW Hoover clothes washers are still produced today ... just unfortunately by Candy Group in IT)
Here a pic of a commercial miele : the smartcard slot is on the left of the red emergency stop button