Updated on January 9, 2024

·

Created on June 15, 2017

PedalTap

PedalTap is a hands-free foot-operated water dispensing device.

Developed By
  1. PedalTap
Tested By
  • PedalTap
Content Partners
Unknown

Author

Product Description

The PedalTap is a foot-operated hand washing system that is to be installed on a sink. Water is dispensed from the tap when the user pushes down the pedal with their foot. Since there is no need for touching a tap, the bacterial spread is decreased. Using the system also reduces water consumption.

Target SDGs

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Market Suggested Retail Price

$50.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community, Public Sector Agencies

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

The product is implemented by PedalTap.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Tye Works Advanced Hand Wash System and TippyTap.

Manufacturing/Building Method

A factory will produce the PedalTap when it goes into production in the end of 2017. Interview with Manufacturer in 2017

Intellectural Property Type

Patent

User Provision Model

Users can obtain the product from PedalTap.

Distributions to Date Status

28 prototypes were installed in public spaces in Kampala (including the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA’s public toilets and school), Mulago National Referral Hospital, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) and Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI)) during the two pilot phases. During this period, over 1000 people used PedalTap.Interview with Manufacturer in 2017

Material

Metal

Activation mechanism

Foot pedal

Soap container built-in (yes/no)

No

Water volume per use (L)

Unknown

Design Specifications

The product works by dispensing water from the tap when the user pushes down the pedal with their foot thus reducing the spread of bacteria. Prototypes are mostly constructed from steel. The manufacturer is now currently looking into using stainless steel and/or other suitable materials for production. Interview with Manufacturer in 2017

Product Schematics

Technical Support

The owner of the PedalTap is responsible for maintenance. General technicians should be sufficiently skilled to repair the PedalTap, so local plumbers will be able to service the product. PedalTap will assist in the first installations and a manual is under development. Interview with Manufacturer in 2017

Replacement Components

The PedalTap is designed to be easy to maintain with worn out components to be replaced. Spare parts such as the spring used in the construction will be available from PedalTap. Interview with Manufacturer in 2017

Lifecycle

The PedalTap has no estimated lifetime. The component that is first worn-out is usually the spring that normally lasts for 6 months to a year. This and other parts are easily replaceable so that the lifetime of the PedalTap can be continuously prolonged. Interview with Manufacturer in 2017

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The PedalTap is designed to reduce disease spread, water usage and be easy to operate. Interview with Manufacturer in 2017

Vetted Performance Status

Water use is reduced by half when using the PedalTap compared to a normal tap. This was tested by comparing total water amount used during a certain time period with PedalTap and with a normal tap. With a normal tap, people turn on the water and then start to take soap, another problem is that people leave the tap open because they do not want to touch and turn it off. The reduced water consumption was one of the main positive feedbacks from implementors during the pilot phase. Interview with Manufacturer in 2017

Safety

None

Complementary Technical Systems

The PedalTap is installed on a sink with piped water or water tank.

Academic Research and References

None

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Evaluation methods

None

Other Information

PedalTap has won prices in competitions such as Big Ideas, Techcons Innovation Marketplace and the African Innovation Challenge. The PedalTap team has also made a MobilePedalTap, an adaptation of the PedalTap which is connected to a water tank. It is targeted towards humanitarian emergency interventions and mobile events where piped water is not available. A BBC reportage about the PedalTap is found here.

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