A SCOTTISH design engineer is the only UK finalist in a global challenge to invent a new ventilator to help Covid-19 sufferers.
Ross Hunter, chief executive of outdoor living pods and garden offices company Armadilla Ltd, based in Bonnyrigg, has turned his expertise to help those suffering with coronavirus as part of the CoVent-19 Challenge by designing his CORE Vent prototype.
He is one of just seven finalists from more than 200 entries from over 40 countries – and the only one shortlisted to be based outside north or south America.
If Mr Hunter and his team win the competition the prototype will be made and once manufactured, his CORE Vent product would be available for a fraction of the cost of current ventilators.
For the last few years Mr Hunter has, in his spare time, been developing a new concept for speciality coffee machines and, as the coronavirus pandemic worsened, he realised this design could be adapted for a ventilator.
He said: “The pandemic is having devastating effects on people and communities everywhere and one of the best ways to treat sufferers is by ensuing there are enough effective and affordable ventilators available, especially in developing countries that don’t have many resources.
“We’re now working hard to develop our CORE Vent prototype into a fully-functioning ventilator that I hope will end up helping those people affected by coronavirus.”
All working prototypes must be submitted by June 21st with the winner announced shortly afterwards.
