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Siemens SMARTly Designs Products for Emerging Markets, Will Others Follow?
SMART products (simple, maintenance-friendly, affordable, reliable and timely-to-market) have now become a primary focus for Siemens. The focus on local markets has led to breakthrough innovations in products such as X-ray machines, medical devices, and water treatment products. After three years, the company is now beginning to see the fruits of its efforts.
- Categories
- Education
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The Power of Exposure: The Influence of Role Models and Design on Aspirations
As a mayor of Medellín, Colombia, Sergio Fajardo wanted to provide young Colombians alternatives to crime and violence, and to change the mindset that they can’t aspire to anything better. He did it by creating aesthetically inspiring public buildings and spaces in poor neighborhoods.
- Categories
- Environment, Impact Assessment
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The EzyStove Improves On Man’s Greatest Invention, Fire
Can designers build a better fire? For developing countries, they had to.
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Best Ideas of 2011: In Praise of Michael Murphy
Michael Murphy is an architect who, unsatisfied with the self-directed benefits of traditional architecture and the opportunities lost in its wake, redefined what an architect is, and how great an impact a built environment can have. He has re-conceived hospital design to better heal the sick people in it, but that’s only part of the story.
- Categories
- Health Care
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Why the Failure of the Nano Has Been a Success
The Tata Nano’s launch failed by nearly every measure, including highly publicized flame outs of just purchased cars. Yet the $2,000 Nano gave companies thinking about emerging segments in emerging markets something to talk about. The hype caused firms of many sizes and industries to plan or imagine how their products might someday reach the poor.
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- Uncategorized
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D-Rev’s Design Sense: Connecting World-Class Products With World Needs
Krista Donaldson, CEO of Design Revolution, says innovators need to be flexible. D-Rev visited hundreds of clinics and hostels when designing "Brilliance," which uses blue light to treat newborn jaundice that can lead disability or death. "We found that the need we originally identified was not actually the most practical place to start."
- Categories
- Health Care
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Unpacking, Processing and Applying Revelations from PopTech 2011
Since PopTech’s conclusion I have been experiencing what I have come to term PopTech Paralysis, or, the shut down of cognitive thought, from an imbalance between new ideas and mental processing power. In the last week my addled brain processed my first attendance of the "idea factory" and started to apply it to my experience at the BoP.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Tags
- product design
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Aakash: Game Changer or Another Brick in the Wall?
"Aakash," touted to be the world’s cheapest tablet, was launched by the Indian government last week and distributed via pilot program to 500, rual primary school students across India. With the considerable buzz surrounding the $35 device, will the BoP market truly have something to cheer for?
- Categories
- Technology
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