Save the Rhino, #ToyLikeMe & #LookingForYou: Three For Friday

This week’s Three For Friday shows you how 3D printing could save the rhinos, dolls can promote diversity and billboards can be used to find a dog a new home.

Save the Rhino

You may have seen the viral image of the last remaining male white Rhino that now has to travel around with armed guards. It’s a poignant image of the fact that poaching has claimed nearly 95% of the global rhino population in the last 40 years, leaving the species almost extinct. Rhino horns are of incredible value to illegal traders — made up from keratin protein, they are used for their healing powers in traditional Chinese medicine.

But now, a biotech startup called Pembient is hoping to help prevent the extinction of rhinos by producing 3D printed rhino horns, which they aim to offer as a cheaper, sustainable alternative to the real thing.

Using advancements in biotechnology to fabricate a substance which is genetically and similar to rhino horn. They hope that by selling the substitute material at a lower price, they can disrupt the horn trade and reduce the incentive for poachers to kill the endangered animals. The startup is also working towards an elephant ivory substitute.

Toy Like Me

Following the #ToyLikeMe campaign which called for greater diversity and inclusivity in kids toys, British toy developer Makies is expanding its product range to include dolls with hearing aids, walking canes, and facial disfigurements and are working on a 3D-printed toy wheelchair.

Create-your-own Makies are customisable dolls with lots of different accessories that the company can design and make rapidly following a request — from idea to shelf in less than a week

Unlike carrying out mass manufacturing abroad, 3D printing enables MakieLab to serve its customers in a uniquely responsive way. Requests can be submitted online to Makie, and possibly be turned into a reality in the near future.

Looking For You

We’ve seen lots of creative use of digital billboards recently but like this idea from Battersea Dogs Home. Trying to get people to adopt Dog’s and Cats from their shelter, they begin by volunteers giving out leaflets which have been embedded with RFID Chips, and synced to every Adshell, Billboard and Big Screen at Westfield’s shopping centre. So the people carrying the leaflets would see the same animal following them across the digital dsplays throughout their shopping experience.

The #LookingForYou campaign aims to draw attention to the charity and encourage people to visit the shelter and adopt a pet in need.

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