A solar powered, popup emergency shelter system created by a South Australian company has been recognised as a “disruptive business” on this year’s Disrupt 100 list.
“Entire industries are being disrupted by new, often well-funded startups that are able to quickly scale and displace long-established companies,” says Matt Connolly, Managing Director of Disrupt 100.
“The Disrupt 100 champions those businesses who are rethinking today’s products, services, technologies and business models to open new markets and create new demand.”
Humanihut is a robust shelter system incorporating a pop-up design to provide accommodation as well as bathroom, laundry and community facilities.
Developed in partnership with Kadego Engineering and Design based at St Marys, and Century Engineering located at Edinburgh North, Humanihut can be set up in 5 minutes by a small team and a forklift. 16 Humanihuts and one Ablutionhut can be ready to occupy in 90 minutes.
“I’m thrilled Humanihut has been recognised internationally as an innovation that has the potential to disrupt new markets,” said Humanihut Chief Executive Officer Neale Sutton.
“The Humanihut is the only all-in-one, out-of-the-box emergency shelter system of its kind in the world that provides accommodation, toilet, and showering facilities, and integrates necessary services such as fresh water, sewerage disposal, and power.”
Mr. Sutton says given the low cost of the shelter, it has the potential to save international aid agencies millions of dollars and help prevent disease spreading in post-disaster scenarios.
Mr Sutton has thirty years’ experience as an Australian Army Officer. He has worked in conflict zones and also as a consultant to the United Nations.
Development of Humanihut was supported by the South Australian government with $77,000 in grants through the state’s Innovation Voucher Program and launched in November last year by South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill.
“Humanihut is a great example of the kind of innovative transformation we’re now seeing in the South Australian economy,” said Manufacturing and Innovation Minister Kyam Maher. “The program supports innovation in South Australia’s manufacturing sector by partnering businesses with organisations that have research and development capability.”
Another company to make the Disrupt 100 list this year is one we’ve written about previously – Renovagen. Renovagen have developed a roll-up solar panel system with energy storage that can be deployed in minutes.
