esc1
Based on the former model ‘SSALT_IN’
The world has been witnessing and experiencing intensified wildfires. Caused mainly by aging infrastructures and worsening global warming, the days of wildfire season have extended, the intensity of fire has increased, and the affected area has expanded yearly. Most importantly, the number of temporary and permanent climate refugees caused by these disasters keeps increasing. When incidents happen, people lose their electrical power supply, internet connection, and mobility ability.
‘esc1’ is designed to help these temporary and permanent climate refugees. It is a first aid energy/communication kit designed to help these people. When the incident happens, this device can help people to use emergency energy charged during their daily lives, distress light signals to the rescue helicopters, surveillance drones, and firefighters, and also collect additional solar energy if needed for charging their personal devices to communicate with the emergency organizations around them.
‘esc1’ is a wearable communication & energy device for wildfire refugees. To accomplish these specific goals, the users can transform the device into three different formations: microgrid, wearable device, and light signal transmitter. According to the sequence of events, a user can pack, move, and unpack the product to accomplish the specific function of each stage.
Formation A - Microgrid
During daily life, users install ‘esc1’ in an interior or exterior space with sunlight and collect electricity using the solar photovoltaic energy system. The system consists of the solar cells installed on the six wings and the battery installed on the core part. They can monitor the amount of energy remaining on the LCD screen.
Formation B - Wearable Device
When a wildfire breaks out, users transform ‘esc1’ into a mobile form and move to a safe location. Considering the users' travel process, ‘esc1’ has been made with a light aluminum structure in a cylindrical shape. The users can fold the wings and legs of ‘esc1’ into this cylinder. According to the condition, the users can choose not to fold the lighting wings and use them as a signal to rescue during travel.
Formation C - Light Signal Transmitter
When people arrive at a safe location far from the fire, they transform ‘esc1’ into a light signal transmitter. This system adopts a light-based signal instead of a radio-based signal to react to the situation while the radio transmission infrastructure doesn’t work. High-visibility LED units on the unit's six wings will help them send signs to the rescue. In addition, the users can gather extra energy when the sun comes out. They can also charge their personal devices using this system.
People can be resilient to wildfire breakouts with assistance from this device. This device will also remind people to be mentally and physically prepared for situations that frequently happen in the new environmental reality. This device, ‘esc1,’ is currently in the beta testing stage of the product.
Project by IVAAIU City
Industrial Design / Creative Direction - Keunwook Kim
SXSW Exhibition: Sung-Su Park, Keunwook Kim, Jiin Yoon, Inhwan Hwang
Model: Chaeeun Lee
