Dk's New Product

[RAG1247]

see

http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/23/dean-kamen-aims-to-clean-water-generate-electricity-with-slings/

[pam]

OK, I'll buy one :p. Sure seems like it's gonna be cheaper than the well I'll have to have dug when I move to the country. Although, I'd want something that could generate enough electricity to run more than 70 lightbulbs :)

Thanks for posting this, Richard, fascinating.
Pam

[JohnG]

A little more info:


The Slingshot process operates by means of vapor compression distillation, requires no filters, and can operate using the most efficient fuel known to man: cow dung. In addition to producing drinkable water, the Slingshot also generates enough electricity to light 70 energy-efficient light bulbs. In order to push adoption of the potentially Earth-changing gadget, Kamen hopes to seed thousands of the units with local village entrepreneurs, in much the same way independent cell phone businesses have thrived and gradually changed the face of many impoverished areas around the globe. Although not ready for pick-up at your local Wal Mart, Kamen’s future target price for the device is in the $1,000 to $2,000 range (a rather attractive price when you consider what we pay for laptops and cell phones).

[JohnM]

Yawn.
This "new" product has been introduced at least once a year for the last 5 years.
Try TIME, November 2003 (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1006200,00.html). Or 60 Minutes (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/11/12/60II/main529070.shtml) in August of the same year.

Well. at least its got a new name. Slingshot.... yeah, catchy.

[SEGsby]

Yawn.

Both articles make it clear that Kamen 5 years ago, could make a working prototype-- but what he didn't know, was how to package the technology, market, and distribute it cost effectively so that the units were more affordable.

The new machines look like finished, ready to produce devices today.

If you are taking aim at the root cause of 50% of the diseases in the 3rd world, the Slingshot name makes a great deal of sense. But I guess you missed that?

SEGsby


Yawn.
This "new" product has been introduced at least once a year for the last 5 years.
Try TIME, November 2003 (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1006200,00.html). Or 60 Minutes (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/11/12/60II/main529070.shtml) in August of the same year.

Well. at least its got a new name. Slingshot.... yeah, catchy.

[citivolus]

Actually, the name has been around for quite a while according to this (http://forums.segwaychat.com/showthread.php?t=1388) post. What's more the picture looks to show the same device from press shots from at least 3 or 4 years ago. Then again, how long did the Segway float around in limbo before it was decided to form a company to bring it to market?

[JohnM]

Yawn.

Both articles make it clear that Kamen 5 years ago, could make a working prototype-- but what he didn't know, was how to package the technology, market, and distribute it cost effectively so that the units were more affordable.

The new machines look like finished, ready to produce devices today.


You see finished, ready to produce devices.
I see two boxes that may or may not contain working hardware. Five years ago he had a different set of boxes that looked just as pretty.

When did DK ever exhibit an ability to package technology, market and distribute it cost effectively? Kamen invents, then farms his inventions out to others. He keeps re-introducing this very useful device every year with the hope of attracting people who can package, market, and distribute. Maybe someday he'll find a backer, maybe not. Kamen got a lot of press (http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/16/technology/business2_futureboy0216/index.htm) a few years back working with Iqbal Quadir in Bangladesh, but Quadir's company, Emergence BioEnergy (http://www.emergencebioenergy.com/), gives no mention of Kamen or DEKA at their website today.

Maybe someday. Wake me up when there something new to this story other than naming the device after a primitive rock thrower.