IIT-B Graduate Creates ‘Bambass,’ a Bamboo-Based Sustainable Headphone
Aakansh, who is from a small town near Indore, says he has always wanted to be a product designer but couldn’t find a way to pursue his passion. He describes his entry into design as a watershed moment in his life. When he was studying engineering in Indore, very few people had heard of industrial design. But he was always curious about how design works and how product design might aid in issue resolution. At the conclusion of the course, he realised he wanted to focus on the design elements rather than the technical aspects.
Who would have believed that the most popular item seen around most young people’s necks, headphones, which are generally constructed of non-biodegradable materials, could be replaced by an eco-friendly design that is 70% recyclable and biodegradable? 26-year-old Aakansh Chaturvedi, an IIT Bombay design student, has made this a reality through Bambass. These headphones were created from bamboo employing traditional craftsmanship while preserving a clean and contemporary style.
Aakansh says that he wanted to create something that will give back to the environment. During his study at IIT-B, he realised that the items that people use and carelessly dump, have an impact on the environment, and that it is up to designers to alter that.
Thus, after finishing his engineering degree, Aakansh chose to pursue product design and enrolled in IIT Bombay in 2020, where he discovered his passion. He was determined that he wanted to offer solutions that not only solved issues but were also environmentally beneficial. Aakansh believes that the young people in the country have the responsibility to take action to ensure that there is still a livable world for future generation.
He explains that he opted to build sustainable headphones since it is a product that people all over the world use. He added that he discovered it is actually rather difficult to build a headphone without plastic since it must be lightweight and must fit every head size because it rests on the head. Then he began researching various methods of incorporating all of the features into the design using eco-friendly materials.
His investigation began with a general examination of headphones. Eventually, he discovered that there were viable market possibilities. But, only the ear cups of these goods were made of wood, and while adding wood to headphones may sound far-fetched, he recognised that it was still doable.
According to Aakansh, it took him three months to sketch, develop, and build his first prototype. Achieving this idea required the collaboration of several individuals, including his professor and the bamboo lab staff at IIT-B, who were bamboo artisans who helped him comprehend the material and devise a plan of action. Aakansh realised after speaking with the craftspeople that bamboo is a feasible choice for headphones since the material is durable, long lasting, eco-friendly, and lightweight. He also discovered that it is possible to give colour and shape to bamboo, which was useful to him.
When asked about the feel of the final product, he stated it’s the same as conventional headphones. Although many people believe that Bambass is heavy on the head or painful to wear, it is exactly the contrary and can be utilised in any situation where ordinary headphones are used. This kind of sustainable headphones is stylish and offers a pleasant user experience. As a designer, he never intended to compromise on the quality of design for the material, and Bambass is a prime example of that.
Aakansh concluded by noting that in the future, he hopes to produce more and more sustainable designs. He envisages a world in which there is an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to every technology and product in the market. As a designer, he stated that his goal would always be to coexist with nature.
