The Freeplay Foundation, and in particular the FPR2 radio have gained international recognition for their contribution to developing and disaster stricken countries. When communication and transport infrastructures are down, radio provides an effective means of reaching a large population. The radio does not require batteries to operate, but uses human power by rotating the …
The FRP2 Human Powered Radio and its cousin, the Lifeline, convert the mechanical energy of winding a handle into enough electricity to charge the radio battery in an emergency. The Freeplay Foundation distributes the radios to remote communities in Africa. The company also produces wind-up cell-phone batteries…
Many people know that millions of wind-up products have been sold since groundbreaking design was achieved by a local design company using the latest in 3D modelling software back in 1998. The beauty is that these wind-up products do not require replaceable batteries, but rely on personally-generated power. The products, designed by Roelf Mulder and Byron Qually -now directors of Cape-based Dot Dot Dot Ex Why Zed Design – were…
Intelligent design is refreshing; especially in a market that has a glut of products with superfluous, flashy elements. But nothing that comes out of the XYZ fold could be accused of superfluity. The industrial design consultancy’s innovations are cleverly designed, functional, pared down to the essential use – and they’re good looking. ‘Much of our work is based on sense of craft’, says design director Byron Qually. It’s a combination…
This final case study emphasizes the social impact VO and demonstrates how an Upper Right product for people in developing nations can still lead to high sales and high profits. The Freeplay radio (Figure 8.21) is a hand-powered radio originally developed for emerging nations in Africa. The product is a wonderful example of how Upper Right products are extendable to other lines and products. There are now several…