3D4D
London based technology charity, Techfortrade, launched its global 3D4D Challenge.Techfortrade announces $100k prize for new international design competition in aid of local communities
London based technology charity, techfortrade, launched its global 3D4D Challenge. The competition aims to unearth new groundbreaking ideas that exploit developments in 3D printing, mobile phone based scanning technology and web based design applications to improve the incomes and livelihoods of people in developing countries. techfortrade is funding a $100k prize to enable the winning entry to be implemented and it’s hoped that the Challenge will generate enough interest for other entrants to also attract offers of support.
The Challenge is also being supported by 3D printer and rapid manufacturing machine companies MakerBot and Econolyst.
The challenge is open for anyone to enter and entries should focus on the reduction of poverty, aiding the development of local communities. Potential ideas for entries could involve using 3D printed models and parts to improve agriculture practices, water supply or filtration processes, or energy supplies for rural or impoverished areas. An example suggested by techfortrade is creating parts on a 3D printer for broken waterpumps that can then be easily fixed by locals, rather than having to source parts and repairs from elsewhere. The technology could also be used to generate income by manufacturing entirely new products from re-cycled plastic.
To encourage potential entrants to brainstorm ideas with industry experts techfortrade will hold a series of free workshops. The workshops will be held in four international locations:
New York, MakerBot Industries– 12th May 2012
Johannesburg, Hackerspace – 22nd May 2012
London, Westminster Hub – 17th May 2012
Nairobi, Nairobi University FabLab– 25th May 2012
“MakerBot is committed to increasing access to 3D printing technology and to supporting those who can benefit from it,” said Bre Pettis, founder of MakerBot. “Working with techfortrade on 3D4D is an exciting way to encourage innovation and create new ideas and applications for our technology to help improve the lives of people around the world.”
“As a key player in the international 3D printing market, we were very interested in working with techfortrade on the 3D4D Challenge from the start,” said Dr Phil Reeves, Managing Director of Econolyst. “We are pleased to be able to support the competition with our knowledge and expertise of the technology to help benefit those in the global community who are in the greatest need of help.”
“We have yet to tap the full potential of this exciting new technology which presents a great opportunity for poor communities to access the resources that they need to help overcome difficult conditions,” said William Hoyle, Chief Executive of techfortrade. “We look forward to seeing what creative solutions the entrants come up with to help alleviate poverty in developing countries.”
If you would like further information about entering the competition or would like to attend one of the above workshops, please email research@trade4all.org
About 3D4D:
You can apply for the workshops and submit your idea for the challenge at http://www.3d4dchallenge.org
A shortlist of finalists will be selected from initial entries at the beginning of July. Shortlisted finalists will be provided with feedback on their initial applications and each finalist will receive a $1,000 research budget and access to a network of Mentors, in order to further develop the concept in advance of the final selection event.
The final will be a high profile event to be hosted by techfortrade in October 2012. Finalists will have the chance to pitch their ideas, see their concepts brought to life in the lab and to network with some of the world’s leading technology companies, funders and media.
A winning project will be selected at the event and the winner will receive a prize of $100,000 as a contribution to taking the winning concept to implementation.
It is envisaged that the event could generate sufficient interest to attract other offers of funding for both the winning project and the other finalists.
About techfortrade:
techfortrade’s mission is to improve the incomes and livelihoods of small producers in some of the poorest world economies, by increasing opportunities to trade and to reduce the cost of production. Our approach is to act as a catalyst for technology enabled trading, supporting national and international market access for small producers.
