(
From http://theaquaduct.blogspot.com/)
The Aquaduct is a pedal-powered concept vehicle that transports,
filters, and stores water for the developing world. The functional model
was designed and constructed over a three-week period for the Innovate
or Die contest hosted by Specialized Bicycles, Google, and Goodby,
Silverstein and Partners.
The vehicle seeks to address the two
main challenges with water in the developing world: sanitation and
transportation. Water-related diseases kill thousands of people each
day. Moreover, water sources can be miles away from the home, and women
must walk these distances daily carrying heavy water vessels. The
Aquaduct is designed to enable a person to sanitize and transport water
simultaneously, potentially lessening the physical strain of the task
and freeing up more time for work, education, or family.
As the
rider pedals, a pump attached to the pedal crank draws water from a
large holding tank, through a carbon filter, to a smaller, clean tank. A
clutch engages and disengages the drive belt from the pedal crank,
enabling the rider to filter the water while traveling or while
stationary. The clean tank is removable and closed for
contamination-free home storage and use.
In its current state,
the Aquaduct is a prototype aimed squarely at demonstrating a concept
and raising awareness around the issues of clean water in developing
countries. Using IDEO’s expertise in human-centered design, in
conjunction with guidance from industry experts, the Aquaduct team is
working to evolve the concept into a viable solution. We are working not
only to identify appropriate opportunities for the Aquaduct platform,
but also to address the technical challenges such as cost, suitable
purification technologies, and the logistics of addressing such a
widespread crisis. The innovative combination of transportation and
sanitation of water offers a unique approach to providing clean,
drinkable water that could improve the lives of billions of people
throughout the developing world.
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