Photos: Innovative Designs Make James Dyson Award 2016 Shortlist

Problem: Mastitis, the inflammation of the mammary gland and udder tissue, is one of the most frequently occurring diseases in dairy cows and can ultimately lead to the death of the animal. In the current system, the milk of identified cows is examined in laboratories, a process which takes at least two days. Prior to the results of the analysis, the cow receives a treatment with antibiotics to increase the chance of recovery.

Solution: Mamelle accelerates the diagnosis of mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland and udder tissue) in dairy cows from a couple of days to a few seconds: helping to optimize and to reduce the use of antibiotics.

Bloom Inhaler

Problem: The design of metered dose inhalers has not changed in 40 years. While effective, they are incredibly inconvenient to carry. Every person diagnosed with asthma is prescribed one, and is advised to keep it on them in the event of emergency.

Solution: Bloom is a credit-card sized inhaler. It holds six doses of relief medication, and is refillable from the prescription inhaler canister. The nozzle of the inhaler is inserted into the refilling valve, creating a hermetic seal. With each pump of the inhaler, one dose is transferred and stored into Bloom for use at a later time. When the user feels an asthma attack coming on, they can use Bloom like an ordinary inhaler: one press of the trigger administers one precise dose of medication deep into the lungs.

Communication Stick

Problem: It's difficult for elderly people to go out on their own because of risks such as falling down or getting lost. Senior citizens also tend to think negatively about going out as their physical abilities decline with age.

Solution: Communication Stick is a walking cane that connects care workers and the elderly at nursing homes. Its functions include: converting speech to text messages, reading out received text messages and sending location information when a fall is sensed. These functions support safety for the elderly, allowing them more independence.

Haize

Problem: When cyclists have to navigate through the city, they encounter many problems. For example, using Google maps forces them to pull out their phone constantly or listen to a nagging voice in their ear.

Solution: Haize is a Bluetooth-enabled compass for cyclists that uses phone GPS and Bluetooth to point to the final destination, providing easily readable information that the cyclist can interpret on the go.

Intelligent View System

Problem: Out of the 16 million motor vehicle accidents that occur annually in the United States, 850,000 of them are related to blind zones.

Solution: Blind zone areas can be eliminated by properly adjusting rear mirrors in a vehicle. The Intelligent View System (IVS) is easy-to-install hardware that employs automated adjustment of the rear mirrors relative to the head position of the motorist.

Kodama

Problem: There is no easily accessible, tangible interface that allows people to animate in 3D.

Solution: Kodama is a tangible interface for creating 3D animations by moving toys with your hands. This can be used to allow children to create their own stories — or as a rapid storyboarding tool for animators.

TetraPOT

Problem: Current artificial sea defense structures tend to be dislodged over time by the force of the ocean constantly crashing against them.

Solution: TetraPOT is a sea defense system. Hollow, concrete blocks are filled with mangrove seeds and distributed along coastlines, where they interlock. Over time, this creates a long-lasting sea defense of growing trees and roots that help keep the blocks in place. The roots will intertwine and gradually become a natural sea defense themselves.

Moka

Problem: Mosquitoes carry diseases, but existing solutions focus on killing the insects. Many people don't understand the damage this does to the ecosystem.

Solution: Moka is an urban system that deals with tiger mosquitoes and associated disease transmission risks. Without harming the insects, Moka will attract them, feed them and cure them: dealing with the issues without impacting the ecosystem.

Oneware

Problem: Traditional kitchenware can be difficult for those with only one arm to use.

Solution: Oneware is a sink tool that is designed specifically for those who only have one functioning arm. It's a series of modular units that can aid someone with various kitchen processes, from food preparation to dish washing.

Aquila

Problem: The World Health Organization reports that drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury or death — costing more than 370,000 lives every year.

Solution: AQUILA is a public service design to assist lifeguards on the beaches. By applying a self-inflated platform and AED on the drone carrier, it reduces the time spent on the rescue process.