The winner of the James Dyson Award in 2009 was AUTOMIST by Yusuf Muhammad and Paul Thomas.
In recognition of their victory, they have won £10,000 to develop their design. £10,000 will also be awarded to their university department to support the development of future projects by other promising students.
Read about the winning entry, as well as the fifteen international finalists, here.
2009 Finalist
Fine (First intelligent extinguisher). France
Problem:
Having lost his flat to fire whilst at university one day, Fine's designer realised the futility of purchasing a fire extinguisher if it couldn't protect your home from fire when nobody was in.
Development:
Much research was conducted into fire extinguishing methods, as well as automated robotic systems and smoke and heat detection devices. Groups of fire fighters were interviewed and the various concepts evaluated.
Solution:
Fine is a fire extinguisher that, whilst functioning in a normal way when a user is home, can also automatically locate and extinguish fires if the smoke alarm is activated and the house is empty.
2009 Finalist - Head'Sup