Roobadge Protects Both Wildlife and Drivers- Let's Catch Up #15
Melbourne Design Week 2024, VW Roobadge, Ebikes taking on deliveries, Dyson's new innovation, IV bags into new products, plastic waste into money, automated pet hydration station
Over three months of Let’s Catch Up! I started this newsletter because I wanted to inspire and inform. To emulate the chat’s I used to have with my old team members every Monday at our work in progress meeting. I’m still sharing the interesting work I hear about, but also I’m now going to add what is upcoming in the coming week across industry so you can get involved.
Melbourne Design Week
This week is Melbourne’s annual design week, showcasing leading work from around the state as well as informative discussions on design and its role in society, industry events and network opportunities.
My Top Recommendations
Health by Design (All Week)- Exhibition on the future of medical devices, technology, service and systems in Australia.
Rubbish on the Shore (Tuesday 28th May)- This symposium explores design solutions for marine debris impacting indigenous communities in Northern Australia
Climate Tech & Agtech Pitch Evening (Tuesday 28th May)- See the latest in Australian start-ups working on climate technology and agriculture solutions
Moose Toys Workshop (Monday 2nd June)- Get involved with the Moose Toys team for a fun day getting creative
Deconstruct & Re-construct: Design for Circular Economy (Thursday 30th May)- Panel discussion on how to design for a circular economy
Full Events List and Booking Information
Product Design- VW Partner With Melbourne University on Roobadge
Credit Voltswagen Australia
The aim is to reduce car accidents involving kangaroos vai a smart ‘badge’. The badge utilises GPS location data to output alert sounds that are known to the local kangaroos such as predator calls. This partnership between VW and Melbourne University is a great example of technology that benefits both the safety of the car occupants as well as native wildlife. Historically, a lot of development and thought went into protecting people, not so much for our furry friends. This badge brings incredible ability to leverage natural threat noises to drive kangaroos away. As mentioned in the video it's reassuring to see VW open to the application in different countries… Let’s see if they will allow competitors to leverage this technology.
Mobility Design- Cargo Ebike Replaces Vehicle For Inner City Parcel Delivery
Cityshuttle is providing alternatives to traditional vehicles that increase efficiency while decreasing congestion and improving pedestrian safety. Cityshuttle are trialing their new Epack delivery vehicle in London. This electric bicycle has been fitted out to maneuver London’s cityscape and narrow streets with notorious parking. The Epack can deliver more effectively and efficiently than traditional delivery vans and trucks that are often held up due to traffic or create roadblocks when they deliver and there is no parking. What a simple solution and I’m sure it has savings for business as well with reduced upkeep and overheads to operate.
See CityShuttle Site Here
Sustainability- Solving Poverty and Pollution, Plastic as Money
Credit Plastic Bank
I love novel ways to combat the immense problem of plastic waste. Flipping the narrative by using plastic waste to end poverty, PlasticBank has taken the first step in a green future providing meaningful jobs. Enabling people to collect plastic and cash it in is a great idea that cultivates cleaning incentives in areas where waste capture systems are not present or are ineffective. I think whether this works out for Plastic bank or not, it’s a good example of how we can create future based roles in a transition away from fossil fuels, there will be so many jobs beyond waste collection due to the destructive effect of fossil fuel industries.
Plastic Bank Website
Product Design- Dyon’s New Mop Design
Never have I loved cleaning more than seeing this new innovation from Dyson. Their new mop is just a model of thorough thought, time and development towards perfection of both functionality as well as the user experience. I didn’t know my mopping experience had been lacking until I saw this. Dyson once again shows they are not afraid to explore and develop new groundbreaking products.
Read Article and See More Images
Sustainability- Healthcare Caring For Environment With Repurposed IV Bags
Credit Sustainability Matters
Landfill. The important, critical, lifesaving PVC IV bags are normally sent to landfill as part of hospitals large waste footprint. New Zealand is adopting a new recycling initiative that is turning the PVC bags into children’s playground cover. Diverting tons of PVC waste from landfill is great, but is also part of new thinking about valuing waste. Waste has no value and can be forgotten, when a world of 8 billion people think that is when we have our current predicament. It’s great to see the healthcare system in NZ tackle their own waste problem and turn it into valuable waste with another company utilising the waste.
Read Full Article
Product Design- Automated Pet Hydration Station
Credit LaLaHome Smartech
I’m a sucker for pet convenience. This product innovation is smarting up your pets' hydration. I won’t lie, I wish this had a dosage control system for automated pet feeding as well but maybe that is one for the next version or creation of a product ecosystem. Also I didn’t know that cat’s prefer drinking from a moving water source (they’re not fussy, just particular).