Smart Cooler Bag Transporter for Body Organs by Adelaide Hendrikse

Adelaide Hendrikse (14) has developed a smart cooler bag that self regulates itself for temperature when transporting contents (e.g. organs, vaccines, medicines, etc.). The smart cooler bag is equipped with fans that regulate the temperature and LED lights and LCD screen to show the temperature. For safety and efficiency purposes the smart cooler bag is fitted with a buzzer to alert those responsible for ensuring the contents in the cooler bag are a priority.

Have a wireless connection to an electronic device that can be accessed either

through software application or mobile application administered in hospitals and

clinics. The connectivity can be achieved through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

The idea is at the product development stage as a model type will be developed. The

research and development process is estimated to take about 18 months (1 and a half

years) until the final product is produced. Most of the time will be devoted to finding

the appropriate specifications for the fans and settings for the functionality of the

software for the LED lights and LCD screen.

The product is at the start-up phase at it looks to provide efficiency for medical content

transportation in the health industry of South Africa and onwards to the African

continent. The pandemic has shown how important it is to ensure that the health care

industry is able to meet the demands of the communities around the country. Safe and

secure transit of medical contents is a high priority and thus the reason why this

product is imperative.

Smart cooler bag innovation is currently only afforded to the developed countries of

the world and cheaper methods are not in use for developing and poor countries on

the African continent. The innovation undertaken by Adelaide is in line with improving

to the health care system for Africa by Africans.

Technical feasibility:

The required materials for the production of the smart cooler bag is as follows:

• Cooler bag 5 litres – 1 unit

• GPS device to track the battery – 1 unit

• Potential Meter – 1 unit

• IR/Infrared Sensor – 1 unit

• LED lights – 3 units (red, orange, and green)

• Resistors – 3 units

• Sensors for the entire casing – 6 units

• Fans – 2 units

• Relay (power to the fans) – 1 unit

• Temperature sensor (inside) – 1 unit

• Heat syncs – 2 units

• Wiring (multi-coloured for multiple connections) – 33 units

• Screws – 24 units

The smart cooler bag’s software component uses Arduino (programme language

C++). It collects the data from the sensors and reports if any triggers have been made

reported straight to security authorities. The smart cooler bag device can be controlled

remotely to ensure that any adverse temperature changes can be corrected either

manually or by automation.

Business Development

- Financial feasibility

The cost of assembling the device has not been factored in for this application. The

purchase price of the product is based on a cost-plus basis. This will ensure that base

costs are covered, and that the device will have a smooth roll-out.

Funding considerations also have not been factored in the development of this device.

- Market size

The market for this product is large as it is applicable to all the countries on the African

continent. The problem being solved is to ensure the smooth transit of medical

contents. A simple business model ensures that the market does not need any

additional product education and allows for easy access for new entrants that is

already in use in the developed world.

Social Impact of the product and how it affects it target market. The social impact of improved quality for transporting medical contents for the health care industry is best achieved by increasing the level of service the people get.

Patients in the outlying areas of the major cities will benefit the most as healthcare

costs are shouldered by the government. With an affordable solution for transporting

medical contents this will ensure those needs are met.

• Commercial viability

This product assists the government in providing healthcare services to its patients.

Tender procurement methodology will ensure that the product is commercially viable

and can best position funding further development into the smart cooler bag. Other

businesses in the healthcare industry who would benefit from this product would be

laboratories that specialize in pathology services.

• Break even analysis

The pricing strategy will be only considered upon final product post testing phase of

the device. The volumes will be derived from the cost base of the research and

development and device build.

• Long term planning and projections

The test phase will show how best to approach the build and roll out of the smart cooler

bag. Further research and development will be conducted on the smart cooler bag to

ensure that the product is market leading and continues to meet the security needs of

customers and in this case the priority of people’s lives.