Products that are meant to serve the world’s neediest often have trouble taking off, despite their creators’ best intentions. What keeps these helpful inventions from becoming blockbusters? We tried to figure out why a few promising gadgets have struggled to reach escape velocity.
Courtesy of Deka Research & Development
DEKA SLINGSHOT Segway inventor Dean Kamen demo’d the water purifier on The Colbert Report, but only 50 have been deployed. Why the delay: Cost and distribution. But a deal with Coca-Cola will see it dispensing H 2 O at pop-up markets called Ekocenters.
MPOWERD LUCI This collapsible and inflatable solar-powered LED lantern gives kids a way to study at night, helping them stay in school. Why the delay: Demand exceeded supply at first, but the company is ramping up manufacturing capacity.
JANMA CLEAN BIRTH KIT Provides sterile supplies for umbilical cord clamping and a hygienic mat where baby can land. Why the delay: Lack of demand. Rural health care workers sometimes don’t acknowledge the need to use sterile tools.
PHOTONIC FENCE Shoots mosquitoes out of the sky with a beam of light. Why the delay: This laser weapon has proven technically feasible, but engineers must completely overhaul the design to make it sturdy and energy efficient enough for real-world use.
Q DRUM Rolls along rough terrain, making it easier to transport water. Why the delay: Cost. Although the Q Drum is made from an inexpensive plastic, its design requires lengthy, costly rotational molding to manufacture.
Brown Bird Design
