great for your drunk wife...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200605/s1643250.htm

Sleep apnoea device nabs Australian Design Award

A portable sleep apnoea device, an easy-to-clean juicer, a state-of-the-art blood pump and a rechargeable cordless table lamp have topped the list of designs celebrated at the prestigious Australian Design Awards held in Sydney last night.

Sydney-based company ResMed has won the Australian Design Award of the Year for its lightweight, palm-sized sleep apnoea treatment device, designed to alleviate common breathing and snoring problems.

The S8 Series Flow Generator and HumidAire 3i Humidifier System is expected to help the 10 per cent of Australia's adult population who suffer from such problems.

Other products nominated for the award were the Breville Juice Fountain, Neoz V4 cordless lamp system and Ventracor's VentrAssist Left Ventricular Assist System, a new blood pump with only one moving part that connects directly to the heart, allowing it to rest and possibly recover.

Stephanie Watson, manager of Standards Australia's Australian Design Awards, says the winner has received the highest national achievement of design excellence.

"This year, more than ever, we are witness to a strong presence in the areas of medical innovation and biotechnology, with all finalists in the medical category receiving an award," she said.

"ResMed is leading the world in vital areas of product development - their designers have a lot to be proud of."
'Fully-fledged industrial design'

Ms Watson says industrial design was also recognised this year with awards for materials and textiles innovation (won by Catalyst Design Group for a new police vest) and public spaces (won by 4design for a multi-purpose street pole system).

"Over the years, we have seen a shift from basic invention through to fully-fledged industrial design at the cutting edge of innovation and technology," she said.

"Today's award winners are intelligent and sophisticate."

University of New South Wales student Tricia Ho won the student design award for her Ergonomic Violin (EV), a modern interpretation of the classic violin.

More than 250 products across 11 categories were entered this year.

An international panel of designers from America, Sweden, Korea, the Netherlands and Australia shortlisted the entries to 104.

The entries were then assessed by a panel of industry professionals, who spent a full week judging the originality, design, safety and commercial viability of the products.

The Australian Design Awards is Australia's only national product design awards program.