Problem-solving ideas wanted.
Each year, James Dyson and his team of engineers and scientists look for solutions to real world problems. The brief is to design something that solves a problem, big or small and the winner receives 30,000 Pounds (A$49,700) towards the winning project’s future development. The annual design award, run by the James Dyson Foundation, operates in 23 countries. This year, it extends to India for the first time, and entries are now open.
2016 winner Isis Shiffer with James Dyson
“There is normally a better solution to a problem. Engineers challenge convention and have brilliant ideas. The James Dyson Award looks for remarkable yet simple designs with the potential to have a huge impact on society. Each year I am amazed by the ideas and I look forward to seeing this year’s raft of entries” Dyson said.
Last year’s international winner was Isis Shiffer’s EcoHelmet, a foldable bike helmet which uses a unique honeycomb paper configuration to protect the head from impact; folds flat when not in use and is made from 100% recyclable materials. With bike share programmes on the rise around the world, Shiffer’s EcoHelmet is lightweight and its practical design makes it an attractive option for city cyclists, where road accidents are frequent and head injuries could be fatal.
Last year’s international runner-up was Respia designed by Katherine Kawecki (pictured above), an asthma management system that tracks and records the user’s respiratory health and medication use. It is a complete redesign of existing aerosol inhalers, coupled with the world’s first wearable patch that tracks respiratory health.