The judges commented how the group had identified a need, formulating steps and iteration to come up with a final product to make a real difference to its target market of youth, combining primary products and the benefits that come with these.
The 2023 Prototype Award winner was local dairy pioneers Waikato Milking Systems for their ErgoPOD.
Aimed at both the local and international market, the ErgoPOD provides a step change in milking and revolutionises the way cups are presented and managed in the milking shed.
It exemplifies what can be achieved when solid design is combined with innovative idea generation, deliberate simplification and effective root cause analysis.
With just the right amount of automation, the ErgoPOD reduces injury risks, halves the time to apply milking cups, removes multiple hazards for a cow entering and leaving the milking platform, creates opportunities for precise measurement and control of milk quality, and even speeds up the process of cows exiting a rotary milking platform.
Early-Stage Award winner for 2023 was won by eClean Envirotech. Exhibiting within the new Fieldays Sustainability Hub this year, this team has blended strong contemporary science and Mātauranga Māori in an authentic way. With Kawa and Tikanga of traditional Māori science.
Their application of scientific theory with a practical application impressed the judges.
The 2023 Growth and Scale Award went to first-time entrants Wilderlab.
Wilderlab embody a unique New Zealand approach to protecting and mapping our environment through their environmental DNA monitoring solution.
The judges were impressed with the novel technology, multiple avenues for growth and strong commitment to values that epitomise the best of New Zealand.
• Fieldays Innovation Awards entries for 2024 are open.
