MIT Solve

Solution Overview

Solution Name

Ina vibe

One-line solution summary.

The Ina vibe is A lightweight, portable gas-powered cooking burner/stove with a thermoelectric generator that harnesses waste heat energy to generate clean and sustainable electricity.

Elevator pitch

What is your solution?

Ina Vibe is a sustainable, affordable, portable, light-weight, thermoelectric generator that harnesses heat energy to generate electricity that is accessible from a USB power port. It is designed using an interdisciplinary synergy approach of both mechanical and electrical
systems.

How it works:
 The Ina Vibe has a cooking heat source (gas burner or stove).

 When ignited, heat is then converted to electricity through the thermoelectric generator.

 The energy generated is channelled to a USB port for charging mobile phones and LED lights.

What specific problem are you trying to solve?

The lack of sustainable heat source for cooking and electricity for lighting of local food vendors and Families stations mostly in off-grid communities in sub-Saharan Africa. “Over 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, 80 million are Africans”-World Bank Ina' Vibe mainly supports the United Nations’ 7th sustainable development goal of affordable and clean energy.

Who does your solution serve? In what ways will the solution impact their lives?

Our target customers are the over 165 million street food vendors in Africa and millions of local families who suffer from a clean and affordable way to cook as well as the lack of electricity for lighting and powering energy-saving lamps and mobile devices.

We chose this demographic of mid-low income class as we believe they cover most of the population of Nigerians who live in the Suburbs, Rural Settlements and slums. To understand their needs, we have engaged local food vendors and off-grid communities in Kwara, Ibadan, Lagoa and Rivers State. Out of 200 surveyed people, 85% were willing to pay less to light up their stands. We also engaged them to know how they use their current cooking stations and this advised us on the best product design approach.

What steps have you taken to understand the needs of the population you want to serve?

We carried out market testing with our target customers showing them the prototype and obtaining vital information on what is most suitable for their energy needs.

we have gotten grants and training from organisations that drive sustainable development goals.

The design has been reviewed by industry experts and mentors.

Which aspects of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?

Taking action to combat climate change and its impacts (Sustainability)

Our solution's stage of development:

Prototype: A venture or organization building and testing its product, service, or business model

Explain why you selected this stage of development for your solution—in other words, what have you accomplished to date?

We have currently developed multiple prototypes variations, from vital feedback gotten during our various market testing carried out, on our target customers making our product more functional and human-centric. we have gotten grants from organizations that support the sustainable development goals targeting clean and renewable energy solutions.

Where our solution team is headquartered or located:

Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Team Lead:

osasumwen obasogie