Issue No.043
TL;DR // This edition is all about digital twins of diverse individuals, biomimicry platform, circularity out of retired smartphones, AI meets robotic manipulation and enzymes that break down plastics
Hej, this is Sustainovation Tidbits.
As people remember from my previous newsletter Timo's Trend Thursday, this format is known for sharing bite-sized trend insights that pack a punch without going into epic detail. With over 950 trends and innovations featured across 190 episodes of Timo's Trend Thursday it’s time to kick off something new. But somehow similar.
For those who are passionate about the convergence of design, tech, innovation and sustainability, Sustainovation Tidbits is your go-to destination for a weekly dose of inspiration and insight.
01. DigiAnne
DigiAnne, a collaboration between Moederannecasting and Aigency Amsterdam, creates digital twins of real, diverse individuals to enhance inclusivity in AI-generated content.
What’s differentiating?
By addressing the bias in AI tools trained on outdated datasets that often lack diversity, DigiAnne ensures that AI productions authentically represent the richness of society. This effort aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10, which aims to reduce inequalities within and among countries. By promoting diverse representation in media, DigiAnne fosters inclusive societies and combating discrimination.
DigiAnne
02. Asteria
Asteria is a platform that leverages biomimicry to inspire sustainable innovations by connecting creators with Earth's biodiversity, offering tools to translate biological strategies into design principles. It collaborates with industries like materials, transport, and energy to transform innovation processes through nature-inspired solutions
What’s differentiating?
The platform addresses the global challenge of unsustainable innovation practices that harm ecosystems. By facilitating biomimicry—the emulation of nature's time-tested patterns and strategies—Asteria promotes sustainable design and engineering solutions that reduce environmental impact. For instance, the platform offers access to over 500,000 curated biological strategies and connects users to more than 4 million scientific articles related to biomimicry, providing a comprehensive resource for sustainable innovation.
The importance of biomimicry in sustainable development is well-documented. Research indicates that biomimetic approaches can lead to significant reductions in energy consumption and material waste. For example, a study published in the "Journal of Mechanical Design" highlights that biomimetic designs in industrial applications have resulted in energy savings of up to 30% compared to traditional designs. By leveraging such strategies, Asteria enables innovators to create products and systems that are both efficient and environmentally friendly, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future.
03. Citronics
Citronics is a Belgian company that transforms retired smartphones into circular microcomputers, providing embedded computing solutions for various sectors such as energy, industry, telecoms, and education.
What’s differentiating?
By repurposing discarded smartphone components, Citronics addresses the growing issue of electronic waste (e-waste), which is the fastest-growing waste stream globally. The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector alone accounts for 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a figure projected to double by 2035. The company's products, such as the 'DevKit,' offer powerful, scalable, and connected computing solutions powered by an open-source Linux-based operating system. These microcomputers provide connectivity and processing power to smart devices across various sectors, enabling applications like residential heating optimization, image recognition clusters, and district heating network control. By extending the lifecycle of electronic components and reducing the need for new raw materials, Citronics not only mitigates e-waste but also fosters economic resilience and independence from strategic components.
04. Mimic Robotics
Mimic Robotics, based in Zurich, Switzerland, develops scalable AI models for universal robotic manipulation, aiming to intuitively automate complex manual tasks across sectors from retail to manufacturing.
What’s differentiating?
The company addresses the global challenge of labor shortages and the need for efficient automation, aligning with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals such as SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). By training robots using large-scale human video data, Mimic Robotics enables swift adaptation to new tasks with minimal fine-tuning, enhancing productivity and reducing the reliance on human labor for repetitive tasks. Their dexterous robotic hand hardware is designed to operate in environments and handle tools made for humans, capable of managing payloads up to 7 kg with 20 degrees of freedom and a repeatability of +/- 0.5 mm. This technological advancement contributes to increased efficiency and safety in industries facing labor shortages.
05. Epoch Biodesign
Epoch Biodesign is a London-based biotechnology company that develops AI-designed enzymes to break down hard-to-recycle plastics and textiles into valuable chemical components, enabling sustainable recycling solutions for industries like apparel, automotive, and packaging.
What’s differentiating?
The company addresses the global plastic waste crisis, which contributes significantly to environmental pollution and climate change. Plastic production accounts for approximately 3.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and only about 9% of plastic waste is recycled worldwide. Their enzymatic process operates at low temperatures and ambient pressures, efficiently depolymerizing plastics like nylon and polyester into their monomer components. This method contrasts with traditional mechanical and chemical recycling techniques, which often require high energy inputs and can degrade material quality. By producing high-quality recycled materials indistinguishable from virgin plastics, Epoch's technology offers a scalable and economically viable solution to plastic waste.
Predictions 2025
We have created 10 soft predictions that inspire a sustainable and socially fairer tomorrow. Enjoy reading it (German only currently, but we’re working on an English version)
To the website
Studio Y-si Predictions 2025
Loved what you read in our 43th issue? If the first issue resonated with you, I’d be more than happy if you could spread the word. In the meantime, stay curious and differentiating. See you next week.
cheers, Timo
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