I'm not sure I have much information regarding details, but I have found a few tidbits regarding the Global Wash platform laying around the internet.
I believe the GW was launched around 2011 or so, when the Point Voyager platform began to be phased out. Of course it was launched first with Whirlpool's parent machines and some Kenmore models. After a while it began to show up on KitchenAid's lineup, and for a while KA had both Voyager and new Global Wash machines available to buy.
The main changes in design were geared, of course, towards reduction in energy and water usage. It's Whirlpool's first dishwasher to alternate wash arms, using a rotating disc diverter valve to cycle between upper and lower arms. Some earlier machines had two openings on the disc rather than the single opening found now, which enabled the dishwasher to cycle between upper arm only, both arms, and lower arm only. If I'm not mistaken, the machine would run both arms on the Express/Quick cycles along with using more water per fill. The Global Wash initially launched with an S-shaped lower wash arm, and an upper wash arm that was similar to previous WP designs in that the arm was mounted on the top of the supply manifold and was aesthetically a sleeker version of the elongated-diamond shaped upper arm found in every WP/KA machine since the PowerClean. They changed the upper arm soon after to the sleek then arm found on these machines today, with the arm mounted on the bottom of the supply tube, which solves the major water loss found on the upper mounted version, because the force of the water is pushing DOWN against the arm, keeping the nylon bushing sealed, rather than forcing up and causing water to spew from the center bottom of the arm like the PowerClean and Voyager would do.
The GlobalWash has also seen slight redesign of their filter cup. The GW initially launched with a stainless steel perforated filter plate that locked in with tabs, and the filter cup itself locked in to the hole. The perforated filter would allow only tiny particles past, where the top of the filter cup allowed large particles to fall into the micro-mesh filter to remain trapped. The flaw in this design came from the bottom of the filter cup, which was flat and would prevent some particles from making it down into the drain port to be flushed away. They later modified the filter cup to have arched notches at each quarter mark of the bottom rim, so that when the cup is locked in, the notch would align with the drain port, allowing debris to be pulled away more effectively. The course filter grate has also been slightly modified as a plastic mesh plate on WP and some Kenmore models, and doesn't require aligning at the back of the sump or being locked in with tabs, and is now easier to pop in and pull out for cleaning. Some KM and KA machines still have stainless steel plates, but I believe those are being phased out as well, in place of the new MicroClean/CleanWater wash systems.
The wash pump motors are also vastly different than previous WP designs, utilizing magnetic induction motors that have been modified so that they always start in the same direction rather than chattering back and forth before "finding" a direction to spin like most magnetic drain pumps in washers and dishwashers. They are also able to somehow detect resistance, such as cavitation and pressure, but someone with better knowledge on how they work may be able to explain this. In my experience, despite being rated at .9 amps, these tiny motors are incredibly powerful and output a ton of pressure and volume considering their size. My WP 920 frequently flips plastic items in both racks and can cause bowls and glass items to clink if not adjusted, despite being "anemic pond pumps" according to some. KitchenAid machines have larger variable speed motors for both the main wash pump and the drain pump.
Maytag machines stayed strictly on the Voyager platform until 2014, when a redesign launched that was a hybrid of the Voyager and Global Wash platforms. The Maytag machines stayed true to their tiered upper rack and "industrial inspired" components, like the stainless steel wash arms and more traditional control panels, as well as the soft food disposal blade. They were also able to maintain their "Most Powerful Motor In the Industry" marketing because they continued to use a similar motor to the Voyager, just slightly smaller and much quieter, but still more powerful than the magnetic induction motors used on the Global Wash. The wash system itself is a modification of the Global Wash, using the same sump design but replacing the filter sump with a self cleaning accumulator filter. The Maytag also lacks a diverter valve, running all wash levels at one throughout the cycle, but because of the redesigned and streamlined tubing and wash arm mounts, it's still able to use considerably less water than the Voyager platform.
As far as the time spent on engineering, that would be best explained by someone else. I do know that the TotalCoverage/PowerWave wash arm spent over three years in development and testing before being launched in their machines, and went through extensive tests and redesigns, even going as far as removing all filtration to make sure the gear system inside the arm would still operate even with considerable food debris being forced through it. I'll try and find the link to the videos.
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(Nacogdoches, TX, USA) 
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