Lumkani is a social enterprise launched by South African Students to deliver a networked heat detector device to decrease risks of fire in rural and urban informal settlements.[1]
| Named after | Xhosa word meaning "be careful" |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2014 |
| Founder | Francois Petousis |
| Founded at | University of Cape Town, South Africa |
| Products | Heat detectors/fire prevention |
| Website | lumkani |
Foundation
editBackground
editLumkani was initially a university project created by Francois Petousis, an electrical engineering student in the University of Cape Town. Petousis designed a smoke detector. The current Lumkani system utilizes rate of temperature change, the original temperature detection system being designed by Samuel Ginsberg.[2]
In 2014, Petousis and his team created the Lumkani startup along with his supervisor Samuel Ginsberg, to sell the heat detector device.[3] The name of the startup and the device has its origins in the local Xhosa language, Lumkani means “Be careful”.[4]
The device
editThe device is a small blue box that measure the rate of temperature rise rather than detecting smoke which helps in reducing false alarms.[5] The network of Lumkani devices in a specific slum uses radio frequency to send text messages and notify people in cases of emergencies. An alarm will be activated in all houses within a 60 metres (200 ft) radius if the initial alarm is not disarmed within 30 seconds.[6][7]
The central device of the network locates the GPS coordinates of the blaze,[4] to coordinate with the fire department for immediate intervention.[8]
Installation
editAs of November 2014, Lumkani distributed 7,000 devices in South African slums.[9] In 2015, more detectors were installed in 5000 households in South Africa's highest fire risk community in Cape Town, South Africa.[10] The start-up is planning to implement a social impact bond with several local governments to provide the device to numerous households in informal settlements for a small fee or for free.[10]
Recognition & funding
editIn 2014, the startup received funding from South Africa’s Technology Innovation Agency (TIA).[11]
In the same year, the startup won Global Innovation through Science and Technology competition’s Best Start-up award.[12]
In 2015, the startup’s device was a finalist in the Katherine M. Swanson Young Innovator Award.[12] On the same year, Lumkani won the People’s Choice Award at Global Social Venture Competition.[13]
In 2020, Lumkani won the EIC Horizon Prize for Affordable High-Tech on Humanitarian Aid, at EU Research&Innovation Days.[citation needed]
Expansion
editThe startup is expanding its activities to other African countries and India.[14]
References
edit- ^ "The innovative project chosen as a finalist in Google's Impact Challenge | World Vision Australia". www.worldvision.com.au. Retrieved 2017-07-31.
- ^ "A little blue box that might help save thousands of homes in South Africa". Public Radio International. Retrieved 2017-07-31.
- ^ Nofemele, Lumk A (2017-02-01). "The little blue box that's saving homes and saving lives". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 2017-07-31 – via PressReader.
- ^ a b Eastaugh, Sophie (23 August 2016). "The little blue box that can save lives". CNN. Retrieved 2017-07-31.
- ^ "A Smart Heat Detector Reduces The Threat Of Cooking Fires Burning Down Shanty Towns". Fast Company. 2014-09-11. Retrieved 2017-07-31.
- ^ "Lumkani - low cost fire detection system" (PDF). www.rci.uct.ac.za.
- ^ "AIF announces the 10 nominees for its annual Innovation Prize for Africa Awards". Retrieved 2017-07-31.
- ^ "Where there's smoke, there might not be fire, so this device detects heat instead". Digital Trends. 2015-08-04. Retrieved 2017-07-31.
- ^ "10 African 'tech for good' startups to watch in 2017 - Ventures Africa". Ventures Africa. 2017-04-10. Retrieved 2017-07-31.
- ^ a b "Lumkani Fire Detection". www.globalinnovationexchange.org. Retrieved 2017-07-31.
- ^ "Fire detection startup Lumkani set to launch across South Africa". Disrupt Africa. 2015-04-22. Retrieved 2017-07-31.
- ^ a b "2015 Finalists". The Tech. 2015-09-01. Retrieved 2017-07-31.
- ^ "Lumkani — Social Tech Guide". Social Tech Guide. Retrieved 2017-07-31.
- ^ "Lumkani". Chivas (in Spanish). Retrieved 2017-07-31.