James Dyson 2018 awards looking for the next budding engineerpreneur

Dyson 2018 Awards

The James Dyson 2018 Awards offer budding engineers and entrepreneurs the chance to ‘Dyson it up’. That is ‘There has to be a better way’.

Aptly titled “Wanted: Problem Solvers” the James Dyson 2018 Awards (link here) run by the James Dyson Foundation – a charitable trust – offers an A$53,000 winner’s prize and grants for runners-up and their educational institutions.

Dyson says, “The brief is broad. We’re looking for designers who think differently, to create products that work better.”

The judges – and James Dyson especially – look for designs that employ clever yet simple engineering principles. If yours is a sustainable design, that’s even better.

As well as proving your project’s technical viability, entrants must think about the ‘preneur’ part. Is your idea commercially viable, too? Include any research you’ve done into manufacturing costs and retail prices.

Past Dyson Award winners a successful grinners

Past winners have taken traditional products, like a bike helmet that folds like a Christmas decoration – perfect for bike-share users.

Dyson 2018 AwardsOr Mom Mom, an inflatable baby incubator that can decrease the number of premature child deaths.

Dyson 2018 Awards

How to enter the James Dyson 2018 Awards

First, you or your team must be a current or recent past university student of engineering, product design or industrial design.

Second, professional judges examine you project – not by a trumped-up Shark Tank but real experts.

Dyson 2018 AwardsThe Dyson 2018 Awards Australian panel includes

Ally Watson, CEO and Co-Founder, Code Like a Girl says, “This is an exciting and important opportunity for us to champion students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths). I hope my role as a judge inspires other women to participate in competitions and pursue careers in STEM. From what I’ve seen, over the past few years, the James Dyson Award has received amazing entries from Australia.”

Dr Sue Keay (QUT), COO, Australian Centre for Robotic Vision says, “I am extremely honoured to be on the judging panel for the James Dyson Award. Having worked in robotic vision for over three years, I am very interested in seeing how students and graduates use and apply robotics and computer vision to healthcare, productivity and everyday tasks.”

Trevor Long, a technology commentator, and Editor for EFTM says, “Dyson has always been a leader in design, engineering and technology. The James Dyson Award is a great way for us to recognise and celebrate Australia’s next generation of engineers. From previous years, we have seen students address real- life, real-world problems like melanoma detection. This year I would love to see entrants address issues such as education, child safety and sustainable farming.”

All candidates can enter via an online application via the James Dyson 2018 Award website by 20 July.

GadgetGuy has reviewed many recent Dyson products