An orphanage in Peru has a new way of doing the wash: the ‘bicilavadora.’ Students from MIT have been working with the children and villagers to build a cheap, reliable washing machine powered by bicycle parts. The machine is extremely practical because it can be made from parts available just about anywhere in the developing world.
Graduate student Radu Raduta originated the idea. Raduta won first place in MIT’s 2005 IDEAS competition
Photos © by numenia and iddsphotos
Bicycle-Powered Washing Machines
Peruvian Village Teams Up With MIT for Clean Clothes
Trend Themes
1. Bicycle-powered Technology - There is an opportunity for businesses to innovate by developing more applications of bicycle power technology in household and industrial systems.
2. Affordable Sustainable Solutions - The development and implementation of affordable sustainable solutions, such as the bicilavadora, can create opportunities for businesses aiming to capture the growing market demand for environmentally-friendly products.
3. Collaboration for Social Impact - The success of projects like the bicilavadora demonstrate the potential for cross-sectoral collaboration for social impact, providing opportunities for businesses to engage in such partnerships.
Industry Implications
1. Humanitarian Aid - There is potential for humanitarian aid organizations to make use of the bicilavadora and other similar inventions for improving conditions in developing countries.
2. Home Appliance - Businesses in the home appliance industry can develop more sustainable and eco-friendly appliances with the use of bicycle-powered technology, providing opportunities for differentiation.
3. Education and Research - Through engaging in collaborative efforts with academic institutions to develop social impact projects with tangible benefits, businesses can enhance their role in the education and research space.