Wakati One

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$100.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, NGOs

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Cordaid

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) Bags.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Prototyped using Fused Deposition Modeling process with stereolithography. A final master was created for a silicone mould. Vacuum casting was used to create a run of 120 units.

Intellectural Property Type

Patent

User Provision Model

Wakati is currently in pre-production. The organization aimed to start production after the summer of 2015. Distributors are NGOs, social enterprises and agricultural wholesales ^{Interview with inventor}. As of 2020, interested parties can become ambassadors and purchase the product.

Distributions to Date Status

At least 150 units have been sold.

Design Specifications

The Wakati consists of a tent-like structure with a 10-watt, photovoltaic solar-powered fan and water tray evaporator inside. A ventilator powered by a 10-watt solar panel gradually evaporates 1 L of water per week, generating a humid environment within the tent that keeps cells intact and prevents mold and fungi from spreading. Each tent is capable of preserving up to 1,000 kilograms of produce for up to eight days, greatly reducing potential food waste and giving farmers more time to sell their crops. Moreover, the tarp packaging of the Wakati can be stored and used at any point to mend ruptures that may form in the tent. The optimal use of Wakati One is outside, in a warm and dry climate.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Wakati representative

Replacement Components

Contact the manufacturer for replacement components.

Lifecycle

The tarp packaging of the Wakati can be stored and used at any point to mend ruptures that may form in the tent.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The designers aim to have their product rely completely on solar energy and preserve up to 1,000 kilograms of produce for up to 8 days.

Vetted Performance Status

The Wakati system performance was tested by University of Leuven - KU Leuven for a period of 10 days. Results are shown in the chart.

Safety

Unknown

Complementary Technical Systems

Unknown

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Other Information

• Antwerp students place second in biomimicry contest.
• Cordaid distributes the product.
• The target user groups are fruit and vegetable producing smallholders, with special attention for female farmers. Post-harvest losses are a concern for everyone making a living of fresh crops in developing countries and is becoming a key focus of many NGOs. Beside the NGOs, agricultural wholesalers are the other key customers, as they have a direct line to almost every small-holder farmer in developing countries, of which 247 million live in a dry climate suitable for Wakati.
• Product was Prototyped using Fused Deposition Modeling.
• Manufacturer's Contact