Natural disasters invoke terror and dread for they forebode death, destruction and ruin. Lives are drastically altered on the arrival of a terrible earthquake, Tsunami, flood, hurricane or other natural disasters. People are left homeless and terrified of the future in the aftermath. Usually organizations and countries take up the task of giving aid. However, it is not enough. It is difficult for people to survive when they are living in wretched conditions, having lost everything. The first thing these displaced people require is proper shelter. Unfortunately, it is not easy to build safe camps with the limited resources. The plight of these suffering people demands a better solution- and they now have one.
The inventor observed the conditions of survivors after a devastating disaster and drew inspiration to construct the basis of a useful project. First, the inventor reviewed the options available for temporary shelters for victims. The next step was building on the concept, creating a lot of sketches that satisfied the ideas. Once the architecture of the ePod was formulated, the inventor looked into building a prototype from the diagrams. The meeting with the engineer went well; they discussed the obstacles and potential aspects of the design. Finally, the design was further developed to fulfill the inventor’s ambitions.
The ePod is a perfect temporary shelter, offering space and protection from the elements for victims of natural disaster. Families can remain together; find comfort in their mutual struggle and discover the strength to move forward.
The ePod’s design is simple, a sort of rectangular house shape that offers four reliable walls. With cost-effective manufacture in mind, it is made from recycled polyethylene. Since the ePods were intended for swift delivery to affected areas, they are easy to manufacture. The beds are fused with the floor of the ePod and can be manufactured seamlessly within the original piece. The manufacture cost is low as it is relatively easy to mold these polyethylene structures. Moreover, it takes very less time to produce.
Other facilities have been included to alleviate some of the people’s discomfort. Solar panels are placed on top of the pod to ensure that survivors have electricity for their basic needs like lighting, heaters and more. The pods also feature a storage unit for survivors to store either useful items or objects they may have salvaged from their homes.
The inventor worked on the design with the hope that it will ease some of the problems survivors of natural disasters , who bear witness to the entire collapse of everything around them, have to face. These people find themselves in dire circumstances with very few options. The purpose of the ePod is to allow survivors some basic rights. Within the confines of the ePod, they have a space to call their own. They can enjoy privacy, security and having their loved ones near. Moreover, the ePod reduces the risk involved in constant sharing of amenities like water with strangers.
The ePod feels like a solid solution to the woes of victims of natural disasters, and the invention could be adapted to provide shelter for the homeless and even refugees. The compassion of one inventor will surely have a positive impact on many people!
Via: jamesdysonaward
