In the search for a pedal-powered solution to offset climate change, Specialized Bicycles partnered with Google and Goodby, Silverstein & Partners to host the Innovate or Die Pedal-Powered Machine Contest. Contestants were invited to develop a pedal-powered machine that would aid in minimizing the amount of CO2 humans emit into the atmosphere every day. Over 100 contestants posted their video entries on YouTube.
The envelope, please. And the winner is – Aquaduct: Mobile Filtration Vehicle. The entry, which is a cycle designed to transport and filter water in third-world countries, won based on environmental impact, creativity and design. "Aquaduct" was the brainchild of five California-based design students who wanted to address the 1.1 billion people in the world who don't have access to clean drinking water. The pedal-powered machine successfully transports and filters water without burning fossil fuels or wood, which contributes to a reduction in CO2 emissions. Watch the winning video:
The winner will take home the $5,000 grand prize and a Specialized Globe bicycle, and all five runners-up will receive Specialized Globe bicycles. Visit www.innovate-or-die.com for more information and to see the five runners-up.
Comment from Dave T. on 2008-01-21
This is one of those ideas that in it's simplicity has you wondering why no one thought of it sooner.
Maybe it could lead to similar ideas such as charging batteries for cell phones or radios in isolated areas of these countries.
Comment from Rob on 2008-01-21
That's absolutely phenomenal! Bravo team, bravo.
Comment from Eric Smith on 2008-01-18
Bravo! Forget Al Gore, these five brillant adults should be nominated and win a Nobel Peace Prize. This thing ROCKS! Absolutely brillant idea! So simple and so brillantly obvious that it just makes one slap themselves in the head and exclaim DOH! I haven't seen such a wonderful, revolutionary item that solves so many environmental, health, economic and social issues all at once.
