Greener Gadgets Design Competition 2008

Concluding a marathon day at the Greener Gadgets Conference, Core77 took to the stage along with panelists/judges with Valerie Casey (The Designers Accord and IDEO), Ryan Block (editor-in-chief of Engadget), and Jill Fehrenbacher (publisher of Inhabitat and coordinator of GreenerGadgets). In this video, moderator Allan Chochinov (editor-in-chief of Core77) takes the attendees through a whirlwind tour of dozens of entries, then focuses the panel on their favorites. (Finalists were determined previously in two rounds of pre-judging.) Finally, watch video of the live judging by the audience–clap-o-meter style!–where 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and a special 4th prize are awarded!

Grand Prize Winner:

EnerJar

By Matt Meshulam and Zach Dwiel

The EnerJar took top prize of the design competition—both a favorite of the judges and the crowd at the Greener Gadgets Conference in New York City. The EnerJar is an easy-to-build, DIY device that accurately measures the power draw of electrical appliances. Sitting between any wall outlet and the appliance (think blowdryer versus laptop), the EnerJar helps users gain an understanding of power draw, investing them in the knowlege, and leading them to reduce their electricity use.

2nd Place:

Graviar

By Clay Moulton

Gravia is an LED-lit floorlamp energized by people. To light Gravia, the user places a mass approximately 48″ above the ground, that, in falling, powers a mechanism, generating electricity. Gravia harnesses the potential energy imparted by the user, rather than relying on any existing electrical infrastructure.

The design goal of Gravia is to provide light in a room (600-800 lumens—roughly equal to one 40 watt incandescent lightbulb), over a period of 4 hours, using people to generate power.

3rd Place:

Green Cell

By Theo Richardson

Proprietary batteries, plugs, adaptors, rechargers—millions are dedicated to mobile electronic devices, and while they all have the same function, we make them in different sizes. As a marketing strategy it may make sense, but with the environmental state, it doesn’t make any. We all know what happens eventually—landfill. We also know that nothing goes away; trash is not the end of plastic or any composite material. Instead, it lives on in landfill for years, decades, centuries, even more. Working within a standardized format helps us all (USB is an excellent example; so are power outlets and even the idea behind good ol’ AA batteries). Agreeing to a adopt a handful of constraints doesn’t hurt one’s marketing campaign; rather, it’s a new opportunity for a new business model. It’s a more responsible approach, and we’ll all live a little more happily ever after. Just think of the next time you forget your cell phone charger: Universal Format, Rechargeable Power Supply. Adopt Green Cell.

See more here: Greener Gadgets Design Competition

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Published:
July 4, 2008 / 8:55 am
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