Washing machine has become an unavoidable appliance in the modern life both for domestic and commercial use. Innumerable sizes, models, designs and colours are available today. It is for the consumers to choose the appropriate ones depending on individual requirements. Basic models of washing machines in the earlier periods required manual operations. They had two tubs and the massive equipments occupied more space. Quantity of clothes, detergents, water etc had to be determined by the user who gains the know how from experience. In the course of time, washing machine underwent qualitative changes. Initially it was semi- automatic, but more innovative changes took place to make it fully automatic. The hectic lifestyle of people forced them to seek automatic appliances in order to save time, labour, cost and energy. And necessity is the mother of invention. Manufacturers of washing machines responded to the demands of modern consumers with state-of-the-art technology.

Sixth sense technology is a nickname given to the system in the business parlance. This phraseology represents the characteristic phenomenon of the machine which behaves as if it has common sense, if not the sixth sense to determine the inputs. Oxford dictionary defines sixth sense as intuitive or extra sensory knowledge. In the manually operated washing machines as already mentioned, user has to decide the quantity and quality of inputs purely on individual discretion. But in the sophisticated modern washing machines, sensors are provided for the purpose. User has to load the clothes. Quantity, quality and temperature of water will be decided, supplied and monitored by the machine itself. The required quantity of detergent is also automatically mixed. It is a thoroughly automatic process. Time required to complete the washing and drying are also decided by the machine as programmed. Some modern washing machines come with optical sensors to monitor the quality of water. The complete operation can be programmed so that personal attention of the user is not at all necessary. To name a few - Whirlpool AWOE 9558 Washing Machine, Whirlpool AWO/D 5716 White Washing Machine and Whirlpool AWOD5506 Washing Machine come equipped with Sixth Sense Technology.

All leading manufacturers have introduced their latest models of washing machines with innovative sixth sense technology tag. The consumers should exercise caution in choosing the appropriate size and model of the machine they require. Most important factor is the warranty. It should be pointed out that deficiencies or manufacturing defects may occur in some machines despite the fact that they are developed by leading companies. Equally important for the buyer is to note the energy label. The most remarkable advantage of the machine is energy efficiency, a panacea for the energy-starved world.