In our home We had used three generations of washing machines. First one , ( Delhi make), was just churning machine with an electric heater in it. It was certainly useful as a geyser and for a price of Rs. 1700 it was good bargain though not of much help as a washing machine.
Then came india’s largest selling washing machine. Videocon twin tub ( Semi -automatic ? ). This was costing about Rs. 4500 then. This machine had a drier compartment but did not have heater. THe machine was quite reliable but did not eliminate manual efforts for washing clothes to great extent. This still required frequent supervision and manual intervention for water filling , draining, transfering clothes from main chamber to drier.
Then came front loading ( Siemens make) fully automatic machine. The machine ( for that matter any other fully auto machine) is not fully auto as it still requires spreading clothes on clothesline for final drying ( and subsequent ironing too ). I dream of machine which not only washes and dries but irons too. It may take another decade for the invention. However, this machine once loaded and started did not require any attention till end of wash cycle and wash quality is also superior when non-foaming special detergents are used. However, this is at extra price. Most front load machines cost 20, 000 or more.
IF you can get a maid servant who can do washing of clothes for reasonable salary , that is best and really fully automatic machine. If you are not lucky or can not trust servants , go for fully auto.