O-Boot designs solar hot-air balloons that utilize solar kinetic energy for energy generation and employ photocatalysis for air purification. This technology provides a sustainable solution for energy production and improves air quality in urban environments.
Funding
$90K raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Urban environments face significant air pollution challenges from industry, vehicles, and heating, leading to high social and environmental costs. Existing methods for air purification and internet provision often rely on energy-intensive technologies and infrastructure.
Solution
O-Boot designs and deploys solar-powered hot air balloons, called "Flying Forests", to address air pollution and provide broadband internet. Mini o-boots filter fine dust in urban skies by using solar heat to create a vacuum effect, drawing air through a filter without electricity. Maxi o-boots, a type of High Altitude Platform System (HAPS), leverage solar energy for both lift and to power onboard Wi-Fi transmission equipment, offering an alternative to traditional satellites. The exterior of the balloons are coated with a photocatalytic material that transforms NOx pollutants into harmless substances using sunlight. This approach aims to provide a sustainable, dual-purpose solution for cleaner air and improved internet access in urban areas.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes municipalities and environmental organizations seeking innovative air purification solutions, as well as telecommunications companies looking for alternative methods to provide broadband internet access.
Features
- Mini o-boots filter air using a solar-powered vacuum effect, eliminating the need for forced ventilation.
- Maxi o-boots function as solar-powered HAPS, using solar heat to power Wi-Fi transmission.
- Balloons are coated with a photocatalytic material to convert NOx pollutants into harmless elements.
- Utilizes lightweight, highly insulating composite materials to maintain air temperature inside the balloon.
- Software for fleet management, developed in collaboration with Google's Loon project, enables autonomous navigation and area coverage.
- Maxi o-boots are designed to connect directly to mobile phones without the need for satellite dishes, supporting 5G and future network technologies.