Member university · Melbourne, Australia
Design Factory Melbourne · Swinburne
- Status
- Member of the SUGAR Network
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
- Continent
- Oceania
SUGAR projects with Design Factory Melbourne.
ARK-EA 3D-printed micro-mobility vehicle made from recyclable fluorene cellulose fibre.Osaka Gas ChemicalsKyoto JP · Melbourne AU
Problem
Osaka Gas Chemicals developed FLCF, a highly recyclable plant-based cellulose material. The team had to find suitable applications and ways to turn the material into a product.
What they built
After needfinding and benchmarking, the team chose micro-mobility: a lightweight, recyclable, easy-to-ride vehicle produced with FLCF filament and 3D printing, aimed first at the Japanese market.
Impact
Safer, more enjoyable travel for users with a smaller footprint. For OGC, a viable path to commercialising FLCF.
MogiiAn outdoor cooking device for super cold smoking at the campsite, for Nakanishi Metal Works / Kaimen.NKC Nakanishi Metal WorksKyoto JP · Melbourne AU
Problem
Create a new camping experience using cooling. Outdoor cooking is central to camping, yet almost no gear uses low temperatures.
What they built
Mogii smokes food between -10°C and 10°C by simply burning smoke chips, in roughly 15 minutes. Ingredients that would melt or grill at higher temperatures stay in good condition.
Impact
New flavours and a wider range of campsite food, shared around the campsite.
Frio - Smart fridge system for hotelsA compact smart minibar that switches off in empty rooms and reports savings.NKC Nakanishi Metal WorksMelbourne AU · Kyoto JP
Problem
Hotel minibars run continuously because they are not tied to key-card power control. Across all rooms, that consumes a lot of energy.
What they built
Frio uses Kaimen's micro-cooling technology to shrink the exterior by 100 mm at equal volume. A digital system lets staff monitor power consumption and savings across rooms.
Impact
Integrated with property management systems, Frio switches fridges on and off with check-in and check-out, saving space, energy and manual effort.
HabitualA tracking app that helps people with narcolepsy understand how symptoms, medication and lifestyle interact.TakedaPotsdam DE · Melbourne AU
Problem
How might people with narcolepsy predict and manage their condition? Behaviour change is central, but each person's symptoms and lifestyle factors interact differently.
What they built
Habitual lets users track their specific symptoms at a time of day that suits their energy. Over time, the data shows correlations with medication, lifestyle and sleep.
Impact
Users adapt routines based on their own patterns. A customisable report supports better conversations between patient and practitioner.
KansrooAn autonomous field robot and app that help small-scale, multi-variety farmers monitor crops and plan work.YanmarMelbourne AU · Kyoto JP · Japan
Problem
Identify the problems small-scale, multi-variety farmers face and develop a user-centred solution that reduces pain points and maximises productivity.
What they built
A mobile robot monitors crop health and conditions with cameras and sensors. The app shows crops and data, schedules tasks, forecasts weather and reveals patterns over time.
Impact
Precise data for smarter farming decisions, better use of land and time, and higher yields.
Nu-tanA tool that dispenses and spreads soil supplements in one pass for small organic farms.YanmarMelbourne AU · Kyoto JP
Problem
Help small-scale organic farmers reduce physical labour and work more efficiently without breaking their connection to the crops.
What they built
Nu-tan combines dispensing and spreading soil supplements during bed preparation, the most labour-intensive non-crop task, into one movement.
Impact
Less strain and time on bed preparation. The tool adapts to the farm, not the other way round.
FlipA personal shopping cart that slides and folds into the car boot by button.SONAE MCMelbourne AU · Porto PT
Problem
Optimise end-to-end shopping transport in food retail, from the moment a customer needs something to the purchase arriving at home.
What they built
Flip carries products inside and outside the supermarket, slides into the boot and folds. Two detachable, collapsible baskets adapt to different boots and ease loading and storage.
Impact
Less loading, unloading and lifting for shoppers. SONAE MC improves the shopping experience and strengthens its brand presence.
Multiple FuturesA wearable, app and platform that monitor people with multiple sclerosis and support research.MerckSt. Gallen CH · Melbourne AU
Problem
Understand what it is like to live with relapsing-remitting MS and improve quality of life beyond treatment.
What they built
A wearable collects patient data effortlessly, a mobile app serves patients and an online platform gives healthcare providers and researchers access to aggregated insights.
Impact
Holistic health monitoring for patients, who can also contribute to MS research and patient-centric care innovation.
WheeboAn omnidirectional jet-powered water platform that novices steer by shifting their weight.YanmarMelbourne AU · Kyoto JP
Problem
Standing on water is exhilarating but surfing takes practice. Yanmar asked for an entirely new water-based experience.
What they built
Wheebo is a round platform with a central rotating jet, ridden standing, sitting or lying. A Bluetooth wristband controls speed and an app adjusts stability and sensitivity.
Impact
Novices enjoy the water, and Yanmar shows itself a pioneer beyond pleasure boats.