Dean Kamen the inventor of the segway has designed a machine called the slingshot which turn waste water into potable water. Kamen has also invented a power generator which can run on animal dung and is able to power a small village. Kamen has made a prototype and plans on eventually making both of tese machines avaiable for around 2-3 thousand dollars. Kamen has designed his products, how can we use social design to make his ideas a reality?
My first thought is to see this in U.S. cities. Putting something in inner-city like these would be interesting.
ReplyDeleteAs far as trying to get it started and out to the public I am not sure. I am sure he could grants for something like that but maybe if a class group like us could seek out communities and organizations that could use these then we could help distribute his inventions.
Kamen’s Power generator and Slingshot possesses the potential to help people in third world countries. A village in India or Africa would benefit from his power generator because it could improve their people’s quality of life through accessible and renewable energy.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Dan that putting this invention within the boundaries of our countries inner cities would be very interesting. The possibility for a decrease in crime and violence could hypothetically decrease due to better living conditions.
We as designers must realize that two possible outcomes can come from his inventions. Assuming that they will improve the quality of life, we must take the risk to promote them and raise awareness to the public that there are places in need of energy or lack access to water with graphic design. Even if Kamen’s inventions aren’t the final answer to solving energy crisis’ or water deficiency, his ideas, in the long run, could inspire someone to revaluate his inventions thus creating something successful.
I don't think the issue here (to me) is if it doesn't work, or if it is not successful -- from reports it looks like it 'does' work.
ReplyDeleteI think the issue is, this device is $1,000.
Villages in third world countries live off a $0-$2 dollar budget. How do we get this device to them? How do we make sure it is distributed equally throughout regions?
These are great comments. One way I think that we can solve the issue of supplying those who can least afford it is to not just market and sell this product in poorer areas but there are also places in the US that have issues related to water. California and Arizona for example. Marketing this product as something viable to American communities while adding a small 20-50$ surcharge which would go towards helping those less less able to afford this technology might be the answer. With this kind of implementation and wide spread use in the US other nations would be interested and the cost would plummet if mass produced. This could help our communities become more green. We would also be able to offer at a very reduced rate or even free, technology that would be life changing in the less affluent parts of the world.
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