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LAS VEGAS — Washers and dryers look pretty much the same, so why do you need separate units for each task?
According to Marathon, you don't anymore. The new company introduced its first appliance at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Monday — an all-in-one laundry machine that both washes and dries.
"We realized there is no good reason why (washers and dryers) aren't the same thing," said Marathon CEO and founder Glenn Reid.
While there are some combined washer-dryer machines on the market, those units all use ventless technology. This means the inside of the machines are always like a "rainy day," which isn't great for the units, according to Reid. Marathon's laundry machines are the first to feature the same vents that are found in traditional dryers.
In fact, the Marathon laundry machines are essentially built like regular washing machines with some extra dryer parts added in. Because the units use normal parts, Reid said they should be easy for appliance repairmen to fix even though Marathon is new to the market.
At a $1,199-price point, the Marathon laundry machines are about the same price as a traditional washer. Reid joked that the company is throwing in the dryer for free. The interior is a standard 3.8 cubic feet.
In addition to the ability to both wash and dry, the Marathon machines are connected to the Internet and feature a simple 10-inch touch screen control panel. The "smart" units keep track of different users' preferences, managing multiple personalized profiles, according to a company representative.
The machines can also use its sensors to make recommendations based on what is in the machine and allows users to schedule loads to wash in the middle of the night. An app allows people who are away from home to monitor their laundry on the phone.
The Marathon laundry machines are available for preorder online with plans to ship mid-2016. Reid said the company is also in talks with major big box retailers to get the Marathon laundry machines in stores. Each unit will ship with one lone sock already inside.
Prior to developing Marathon, Reid worked at Apple and created the 1.0 versions of both iMovie and iPhoto. He has founded five different startup companies so far.
