About

The idea

Amphiro AG was founded in 2009, as a spin-off company of the ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology). Its four founders - Thomas Stiefmeier, Thorsten Staake, Gerhard Tröster and Elgar Fleisch - were united in the conviction that real-time information on consumption patterns would provide great added value in numerous fields in years to come. But where exactly still needed to be defined.

Hot water was identified as an area offering extremely high potential for energy savings – and one that made other developers shy away.

The challenges

The idea was appealing and quickly gained interest. Only three years later, Amphiro received its first large-scale order of smart shower monitors, but many challenges still needed to be overcome for the brilliant idea to become a viable business. The first one was the inventors’ commitment to making the device entirely self-sufficient in terms of energy supply to ensure sustainability, ease of installation and longevity.

The work

After months of work and relentless determination, the first patents were lodged and numerous prototypes developed. Simultaneously, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) supported the first Amphiro study lead by ETH Zurich and the University of Lausanne regarding the effect of real-time feedback on the consumers’ behaviour. This study revealed savings which significantly exceeded all expectations: 452 kWh for an average household (2.1 persons) annually – on a permanent basis.

With their convictions more than supported by scientific evidence, the founders officially launched amphiro a1 basic, the most effective feedback instrument ever investigated by the ETH.

The future

Since 2012 and the launch of the first Amphiro device, development has lead to new and improved versions, with amphiro b1 connect and the new Amphiro Digital Hand Shower. Connected, sustainable, easy to install and use, the Amphiro technology still relies on the assets that have made it great from the start.

Looking forward, Amphiro’s goal and convictions remain the same: to make big changes, we must improve little things happening daily.

How it works

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