(B1) Design and Development

TRANSCRIPT
Design and Development

NARRATOR:
On a construction site in Tokyo, Japan, workers are getting ready for the day.
They wear special jackets with small fans built in to help keep them cool while they work in the heat. Today, it’s almost 30 degrees Celsius with very high humidity. Workers say the jackets help them stay comfortable and less tired during long, hot days on site. 
Air-conditioned clothing like this is an innovative idea created by engineer Hiroshi Ichigaya. Back in 1998 he noticed how much electricity was used to air-condition big buildings. He wanted to create a more energy-efficient way to stay cool. So, he started his own company and began developing a solution. His first prototype was a vest with a small water tank attached. But it had a serious design problem: The pipes kept leaking.

SOUNDBITE - Hiroshi Ichigaya:
"There was no way we could sell that product. Then I realised our body contains of plenty of water and without using any pipes. We are covered with sweat glands. This natural cooling mechanism for our bodies to cool down as sweat vaporizes was the thinking behind the development of air-conditioned jackets."

NARRATOR:
After his first failed design, Hiroshi teamed up with a technology lab. It took six months to produce a working model. The final product has small fans that blow air around the body and out through the neck and sleeves, helping sweat evaporate. Powered by a rechargeable battery pack, the jacket is portable, functional, and easy to use.
At first, some people thought the jackets didn’t look stylish. But after working with a top Japanese fashion brand, the clothing even appeared at Paris Fashion Week. Now, air-conditioned clothes aren’t just for construction workers. They help many people stay cool in summer, especially those who find hot weather difficult, like the elderly. 
The market for air-conditioned jackets in Japan alone is now worth around 25 billion Japanese yen — about 171 million US dollars. After a lot of testing and development, the air-conditioned jacket has become a successful invention. It shows how good design can improve comfort, health, and everyday life.