Self Powered Shower Head Reduces Water Consumption- Let's Catch Up #12

SpaceX next gen space suits, Lexus teases EV future, Joby flying taxi, Think Fencing using PVC waste, Fanco new duel use purifier and fan, Hemp material on the rise, rethinking traditional beer.

May 05, 2024

A wonderful product from Hydrao that reduces consumers' water consumption via monitoring, notification and SMART technology. This great product offers a user friendly way to reduce impact of our water usage. Offering multiple heads to retrofit to existing bathroom hardware the Hydrao system monitors you usage via an app as well as using embedded LED’s that change colour to indicate levels of water usage live. As well as providing a notification system to the user, the most innovative part of this wonderful design is that it utilises the water pressure to power the unit via an internal water turbine!

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Aerospace- Next Gen EVA Suit Unveiled by SpaceX

Credit SpaceXtudio

The new versatile Extravehicular Activity (EVA) suit has been unveiled by the SpaceX team. Increasing safety measures, advanced communications whilst increasing the mobility for astronauts. The suits will be put to the test with the Polaris Dawn mission launching the first commercial space walk. The design of the suit is more aligned to a sci-fi movie than the bulky EVA’s of past missions and is a major step in accessibility for commercial space flights.

Automotive- Lexus Unveils Future Mobility in Milan

Credit Lexus

Milan Design week’s latest show stopper was the elusive yet intriguing installation from Lexus. Dubbed ‘Time’ the installation shows viewers the future direction of Lexus in its zero emission, electrification cars. Still much is kept behind curtains and did they drop the hint of a sub 10min full charge…

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Transport- Skip the Traffic with Joby Aviation’s Flying Taxi

Credit Joby

Pursuing electrification in aerial vehicles Joby is making headway after showing off their air taxi at the latest MWC trade show in Barcelona. Not only are the developing the necessary vehicle and to regulation but also they have partnered with Uber, Delta Airways, Toyota to name a few to enable integration of their vehicle. These short demonstration flights build towards their official FAA certification for commercial flights. Keep an eye on the sky in the US first but who knows next.

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Sustainability- Waste Blister Packaging Turned into Fencing

Credit Sustainabilitymatters.net.au

In Victoria (Australia), waste PVC blister packaging from pharmaceutical brands is now being recycled. Not only is it being recycled but being turned into other valuable products by Victorian business Think Fencing. This new waste stream has increased Think Fencing’s recycled content usage from 15 to 85%! Interestingly as each batch is slightly different due to material properties the business uses an AI assisted device to analyse the incoming recycled PVC to enable the business to use any necessary additives before manufacturing the new product.

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Product Design- Fanco Blends Air Purification with Fan Capability

Personally I like the added functionality of this Air purifier and Fan. Although other than Dyson, there still seems to be a lack of an all in one device for air purification, de-humidification and of course the good old fan. At least the Fanco hits 2 out of 3! Boasting an non intrusive design aesthetic that won’t challenge a pot plant for space, this device comes with a limited static fan setting, no more oscillation unfortunately.

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Sustainable Materials- Hemp More Sustainable Than Timber

Credit Olga Ionina

As designers materials are critical to ensure a successful design outcome as well as being suitable for the products primary function. It’s great to see old materials become new again and wherever possible replacing existing materials. Timber especially is already a sought after material and will only grow with transitions to circular products, so to have great alternatives like hemp that is scalable. Look towards hemp as a textile alternative, composite hemp sheets to replace timber and even plastic in clothes, homewares, buildings and construction.