UK graduate’s $400 inflatable baby incubator wins James Dyson Award

An affordable inflatable baby incubator, intended for use in the developing world, has won the prestigious James Dyson Award for design and innovation. The product - known as MOM - is capable of providing the same performance as a $50,000 incubation system but only costs $400 to make, test and transport. According to the World Health Organisation, 75% of deaths resulting from premature birth could be avoided if inexpensive treatments were more readily available.

I was inspired to tackle this problem after watching a documentary on the issue for premature babies in refugee camps. It motivated me to use my design engineering skills to make a difference.

Incubator designer James Roberts

The product’s inventor, Loughborough University graduate James Roberts, 23, explained: “”Like many young inventors, there have been struggles along the way – I had to sell my car to fund my first prototype! The dream would be to meet a child that my incubator has saved – living proof that my design has made a difference.” Roberts will receive $50,000 in prize money to carry out further prototyping and testing and to eventually put the incubator into mass production.