May 17, 2024
On May 17, 2024, Larisa Ovalles, Emily Liu, and Junha Hwang presented Bosai+, the culmination of their work as part of the 2024 DesignX cohort, at the annual DesignX Pitch Day, which took place at the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge, MA. Hosted by DesignX, a program focused on fostering design innovation and entrepreneurship, this event featured several innovative projects developed by a variety of cohort members.
Ovalles, Liu, and Hwang presented the mission, vision, and action plan for Bosai+, a startup that began in the MIT Urban Risk Lab and was developed as part of DesignX. Bosai+ aims to cultivate a culture of preparedness by designing dual-use personal objects with integrated emergency functionality. Examples of such objects include a ring that doubles as a whistle, clothing with dye that can measure UV levels, and a tote bag that can fold out into a waterproof and fire-resistant poncho. The initiative seeks to empower individuals to be ready for everyday uncertainties and emergencies without sacrificing everyday style and convenience — a goal that aligns with the Urban Risk Lab's mission to strengthen urban resilience through embedding preparedness in existing habits and practices.
At this exciting moment in the Bosai+ project, you can join in! Please go to the link below to share your ideas, learn more, and sign up for purchase.