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.