ION Energy Systems
University thesis project. Vehicle-powered energy harnessing system focused on frugal innovation and community empowerment.
ION Energy is a system of speed bumps that transform potential energy from passing vehicles into electrical energy.
The goal of the project is to foster sustainable progress in small Ecuadorian communities through local empowerment, frugal innovation and education.
This page focuses on the digital platform integrated into the system.
You can view the industrial design project here
Deep-Dive
With the main focus being to empower small business owners in rural communities in Ecuador, it was crucial to understand the context as well as the motivations of the central stakeholders. To do so, we conducted in-depth primary research which revealed areas of opportunity in both tangible and intangible aspects.
At this stage, it became clear that there was an opportunity to design something culturally relevant with high potential for positive impact.
Key Findings
Roadside vendors strategically position their stands near tolls and speed bumps on busy roads, ensuring all stakeholders are in place for the system to function effectively.
Access to energy is crucial for development and growth, but vendors usually have little or no access to power.
The topic of energy is shrouded in mystery, so empowerment through education is a key area with potential long-term impact.
These key findings helped craft several guiding questions as we moved into the ideation and prototyping stages.
How might we empower local communities?
How might we create a tangible and culturally relevant application?
How might we spark curiosity and an interest in learning?
How might we share the data in a way that is fun and engaging?
A Monumental Solution
A kinetic sculpture allows us to create a dedicated space for community to gather and learn about energy. From a functional standpoint, the monument serves as an electrical utility box, housing all components needed to transform and distribute energy.
To make the data tangible and readily accessible to the public, a digital platform was created to track and share energy production and usage.
Community centered monuments are equipped with an interactive screen that displays real-time and historic data about energy production and usage.
A free app allows drivers to view how many times they’ve driven over the energy converting speed bumps and how much energy they’ve contributed into the system
Learn about energy and view real-time and historic impact
View each tower’s stats and learn about energy usage by location.
Discover who are the largest contributors to the system.