Komal Panda Wins National Title at James Dyson Award 2024

In a world that is rapidly embracing sustainable innovation, platforms like the James Dyson Award are paving the way for the next generation of inventors to create impactful solutions for a better tomorrow. This prestigious annual engineering competition celebrates groundbreaking ideas that tackle global challenges and inspires young innovators to bring their vision to life.

This year, the national winner of the James Dyson Award 2024 is Komal Panda, an industrial designer from the National Institute of Design (NID), Haryana. Komal’s innovation, Novocarry, addresses a critical healthcare issue faced by millions of diabetes patients: the safe and portable storage of insulin.

The Vision Behind Novocarry

Komal’s journey to developing Novocarry is rooted in deeply personal experiences. Growing up in Odisha, Komal was profoundly influenced by her father’s struggles with managing diabetes while working in a steel factory. His inability to store insulin at the workplace led to frequent disruptions in his routine. Existing solutions like ice packs or thermos flasks were unreliable and required constant maintenance, leaving him—and countless others—vulnerable to spoiled medication.

During a classroom project at NID, Komal identified this as an opportunity to create a solution that combined reliability, portability, and user-friendliness. Novocarry emerged as the answer—a portable cooling device designed specifically for insulin. It eliminates the need for makeshift solutions and empowers users to carry their medication confidently, regardless of their environment. Komal’s inspiration also stems from her own life. She shared, “I lost my mother to cancer and COVID-19 just days before my final NID entrance exam. That profound loss, coupled with my father’s ongoing health challenges, shaped my perspective on life and my design philosophy. Solving real-world problems became my driving force.”

The Road to Recognition

The James Dyson Award has long been a dream for Komal, who had been following the competition closely for over a year. She decided to apply, pouring her heart into crafting a compelling application and presenting her innovation. The experience, she admits, was both intense and rewarding. Winning the award has been a transformative milestone in Komal’s career. “The validation and exposure that this recognition brings are life-changing. It’s humbling to see how Novocarry is resonating with people and giving them hope,” she said. One heartfelt message from a father of a 6-year-old child with type 1 diabetes particularly stood out to her. He expressed gratitude, saying that Novocarry could significantly improve his child’s life by making insulin management at school easier.

What’s Next for Novocarry?

The recognition from the James Dyson Award is just the beginning for Novocarry. Komal is using the prize money to refine the device’s design, focusing on making it more aesthetic and scalable for mass production. She is also exploring partnerships to expand its reach globally and integrate its technology into other portable medical devices. Komal’s ultimate goal is to make Novocarry accessible to every person who needs it, transforming lives and addressing a critical healthcare gap on a larger scale.

A Message to Aspiring Innovators

When asked about her advice for young designers and engineers, Komal emphasized the importance of tackling real-world problems. “Draw inspiration from the challenges around you. Solving issues that directly affect people is incredibly fulfilling. And don’t shy away from competitions like the James Dyson Award—they provide a platform to showcase your ideas and make a real impact. Most importantly, believe in your vision and stay committed—hard work always pays off.”

A Future of Hope and Innovation

Komal Panda’s journey and her innovation, Novocarry, are testaments to the power of determination, empathy, and creativity. As she continues her mission to improve the lives of diabetes patients, her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring innovators across the globe. With initiatives like the James Dyson Award shining a spotlight on groundbreaking ideas, the future of sustainable innovation looks brighter than ever.

To dive deeper into Komal’s journey, her challenges, and her vision for Novocarry, watch the full
interview here

Note: The article is written by the Brand Desk.