The GravityLight Story
Product designers, Jim Reeves and Martin Riddiford, initially started work on the GravityLight Concept as a SkunkWorks Project in 2009. Following several years of product development, testing prototypes, and user feedback, they have now introduced GravityLight into Kenya, as a large-scale Pilot.
Lightbulb Moment - In 2009, Therefore Design Consultancy was approached by SolarAid to develop an extremely Low-Cost Solar Light to reach Off-Grid Families living on less than $3 a day. The aim was to create a Sustainable Alternative to Kerosene Lamps. The Designers took on the challenge. After realizing that Batteries and Photovoltaic (PV) Panels were two thirds of the Cost, they decided to look beyond Solar and Battery-Powered Devices. This led to the Invention of GravityLight, the first of its kind.
Incredible Crowdfunding - In November 2012, Martin and Jim had a working Prototype. The next step was to prove the Concept in Real-World Environments. Crowdfunding was needed to support the Tooling, Manufacture and Distribution of GravityLights to Off-Grid Families in Africa and Asia. Their Feedback would then be used to develop an improved Model, for large Scale Production. Within 30 days, the Crowdfunding Campaign had raised more than seven times the original Funding target! Over 6,219 generous Supporters had raised $399,590.
Worldwide Trials - This incredible support allowed them to Field Test GravityLight across 26 Different Countries. The results were extremely encouraging, over 90% of People said they would use a GravityLight instead of a Kerosene Lamp. They also shared invaluable Feedback on what needed improving before they could launch GravityLight.
Refining the Model - After extensive improvements and accelerated Life Testing they have developed an improved Model, GravityLight GL02. The improvements made include ensuring: Easier to Use, Brighter, and more Robust.
Launching in Kenya - They ran another Crowdfunding Campaign in 2015 to enable them to Pilot their Improved Product in Kenya, including Testing Assembly of the Units in Country too. This amazing support opened the doors to more: they have since worked with Shell's #MakeTheFuture Campaign, to introduce GravityLight to 50 Communities in Kenya through a Nation-wide Roadshow. The DOEN Foundation and Comic Relief have also supported them to establish Operations in Kenya and Conduct Research with their first Customers there, on GravityLight's Performance, Benefits, and potential Impact over time. As they're always Learning and Improving, this Research also feeds into their Product Development Pipeline as well as Decisions on how and where to Scale our Activities and Impact.
Expanding Internationally - At the Conclusion of the Kenya Pilot, they aim to Scale Up GravityLight Internationally to reach the 1.2 Billion People living without Electricity.
CLICK HERE for more information about the Gravity Light Foundation.
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