Dean Kamen may be best known for the Segway personal mobility device, but the prolific genius actually holds 440 U.S. and International patents, ranging from the iBOT wheelchair that can climb stairs to the Luke robotic prosthetic arm to a water purification system.
Last night at its annual Breakthrough Awards, Popular Mechanics presented Kamen with a leadership award. I was in attendance, and many of Kamen's major inventions were on display, including the Segway, the Luke Prosthetic Arm, and a new Coke machine that mixes over 100 different drinks on the fly. I also saw Kamen's water purification system, the Slingshot.
The Slingshot was actually a working model, so in Kamen's honor, I decided to drink some of the purified water. According to one report, "Slingshot will work with all kinds of unclean water, even water crawling with microorganisms and parasites, even ocean water, even water that doesn't come from your tap." Mmm, yummy.
Please note the color of the original source water, and that I did not fall over dead after drinking the resulting cleaned-up water. More photos from the PM event after the jump.
This award winner is the Flying Car for the Developing World. It uses a parachute to help it land.
These students are working on robots as participants in Dean Kamen's FIRST Robotics Competition. You can learn more about the program here.
The Luke Arm: The advanced prosthetic arm is being developed by Kamen for amputees.
Another view of the Luke Arm.
Here are some of Kamen's other inventions.
Here's a better look at the Slingshot water purification system prototype.
This all-electric lawn mower was honored because it's whisper-quiet.
This LEHR Eco Trimmer, another winning product, produces far fewer emissions than traditional gas-powered ones.
Popular Mechanics honored this Loggerhead Bionic-Hydrant Wrench because it can help disaster respondents open a hydrant in seconds.
These Andalay AC Solar Panels are pretty much plug-and-play solar power solutions.
Dean Kamen gave his captive audience a nearly hour-long pitch for his FIRST Robotics Program. He told the audience that we have kids "all immersed in technology, but they don't understand what they take for granted."
Kamen doesn't just build medical devices. He helped develop this Coca-Cola Freestyle Fountain vending machine. It can make over 100 different drinks.
Dean Kamen posing with one of his inventions (I'm talking about the vending machine on his right).
This is the Spherical Robot. It can change directions and even roll up hills and stairs. Popular Mechanics honored its inventor, engineering graduate student Greg Schroll, with its Next Generation Award.
Microsoft's Project Natal, the motion-controlled gaming system for the Xbox 360, made a surprise appearance at the event.
I would love to work with Dean Kamen. His vision for the future, for solving current problems and for empowering kids to invent is THE key to solving the challenges that face the world. I took a different path in life and started my own computer company in the early 90's. I hope that in the 2nd half of my career I can develop my dreams and make a difference on this planet like Dean. And if I can create jobs too, then everyone wins! Chalk one up for the USA!
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October 13, 2009 8:44 PM
I would love to work with Dean Kamen. His vision for the future, for solving current problems and for empowering kids to invent is THE key to solving the challenges that face the world. I took a different path in life and started my own computer company in the early 90's. I hope that in the 2nd half of my career I can develop my dreams and make a difference on this planet like Dean. And if I can create jobs too, then everyone wins! Chalk one up for the USA!