The 2024 DAOs Info Seminar Session was held successfully on August 02, 2024 which provided a comprehensive overview of impactful initiatives and featured distinguished guest speakers. Let's deep dive into this session with this recap!
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Kambria, Kambria DAOs, 4 Daily-life Impact DAOs
- Mini talk show
- Panel discussion Highlights
- Community Q&A Recap
- Wrap-up and next milestone
Introduction
Guest Speakers:
- Mr. Zhennan Low: Founder of Code for Singapore, with over a decade of experience in technology-driven social impact projects. Known for his strategic partnerships and team leadership, he has made significant contributions to e-commerce, education, health, and sustainability.
- Mr. Hendrik Kohl: Entrepreneur and environmental steward, recognized for his work with Impact Forest UG, Grelly.org, and Lasuan.com. His nature-based solutions address environmental challenges like flooding and biodiversity, promoting soil and forest conservation, CO2 capture, and water retention.
- Ms. Lucía Carazo: Sustainability advocate at Sustein Material, developing carbon-neutral construction materials from healthcare waste. Her expertise includes LEED certification, system efficiency calculations, HVAC fresh air requirements, and on-site energy audits, focusing on solving critical environmental and social challenges through design and engineering.
- Mr. Omar Mohammad: Computer Science and STEAM Lecturer, Coordinator, and Researcher, and Executive Director at RoboGeex Academy. With a strong background in electronics, telecommunications, and computer science, he is dedicated to advancing research and empowering future tech leaders.
Kambria, Kambria DAOs, 4 Daily-life Impact DAOs
Ms. Lien Cao, CEO of Kambria, began the presentation with an in-depth look at Kambria's upcoming initiatives. Kambria, established in 2018, is a pioneering platform for deep tech innovations, including AI, robotics, blockchain, VR/AR, and IoT. Their goal is to address inefficiencies in the current innovation model by decentralizing technology ownership and development.
Introducing Kambria DAOs: Kambria is advancing with the DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) model, which leverages blockchain technology to enable community-driven technology development and commercialization. This model ensures transparency, trust, and automation, allowing open-source solutions to be co-owned and managed by their communities.
2024 Daily-life Impact DAOs: Kambria is set to launch four new Daily-life Impact DAOs in 2024, each aimed at addressing significant global challenges:
- Tech-powered Elderly Care DAO
- Objective: Address social isolation, healthcare costs, and caregiver burnout among the elderly.
- Solution: Connects seniors with younger individuals through real-time online sessions for companionship and learning.
- Home Garden Tech DAO
- Objective: Enhance environmental sustainability and promote public health through gardening.
- Solution: Offers an IoT kit for automated garden management, AI-driven plant recognition, and a community platform for sharing gardening experiences.
- Smart Recycle DAO
- Objective: Improve waste management and support the circular economy.
- Solution: Integrates AI cameras and smart lids for waste classification, AI voice assistance for user guidance, and gamification elements to engage users and reward eco-friendly behaviors.
- Community-based Tech Learning DAO
- Objective: Support employability, digital inclusion, and local economic development.
- Solution: Provides STEM and robotics learning kits for adults, fostering a community of learners and educators with potential revenue from kit sales, subscriptions, and mentoring.
Why These DAOs?
- Elderly Care: The global population aged 60 and older is expected to exceed 2 billion by 2050.
- Home Gardening: The gardening market is projected to reach $300 billion by 2024.
- Smart Recycle: 400 million tons of plastic waste are produced annually, with only 5% recycled in the U.S. in 2021.
- Community Learning: 3 billion people are digitally excluded worldwide.
Technology Solutions Each DAO includes cutting-edge technology:
- Elderly Care: Real-time online interactions with young individuals.
- Home Garden: Automated gardening with AI and a community-sharing feature.
- Smart Recycle: AI-driven waste sorting and gamified user engagement.
- Tech Learning: Robotics kits and educational resources.
Partnerships Kambria is calling for partnerships across various roles:
- Development Partners: To design and develop the technology solutions. Proposals are due by December 2, 2024, and should include team profiles, solution ideation, development plans, and cost estimates.
- Production Partners: To manufacture products.
- Channel Partners: To distribute products.
- Service Partners: To implement services using the solutions and provide feedback during the development phase.
- Community Partners: To raise public awareness, co-organize activities, or lead DAO communities.
- Fund Contributors: To invest in DAO projects. Contributors purchase DAO LP tokens, gaining access to solution codebases and voting rights in the DAO Council.
DAO Financial Framework
- Investment Budget Allocation:
- 65%: Research & Development and Production/Service
- 20%: Sales and Marketing
- 15%: Operations
- Revenue Allocation:
- 75%: Covers expenses (R&D, production, sales, and operations)
- 25%: Distributed to DAO fund contributors
Ms. Lien Cao concluded by sharing some updates on Kambria’s journey inviting potential partners to collaborate on these impactful projects, highlighting the open opportunities for involvement and the potential for significant social impact.
Mini talk show
The next session was a mini talk show hosted by Ms. Thao Tran from Kambria, featuring four main guests.
Zhennan Low - Mini talk show
The first guest, Mr. Zhennan Low, shared his journey and experiences in the field of elderly care.
Inspiration and Founding Code for Singapore
Mr. Zhennan Low’s journey began with a transformative experience at a tech meetup in San Francisco. Impressed by the local tech community’s efforts to solve everyday problems, he returned to Singapore with a vision to create a similar platform. Unable to find an existing organization, he took the initiative to start Code for Singapore, aiming to leverage technology for community impact.
Focus on Elderly Care
Zhennan discussed Code for Singapore’s key projects focused on elderly care, including "Wiser." With Singapore’s aging population, the organization is tackling challenges like social isolation and fall prevention. Their efforts are geared toward enhancing the quality of life for seniors, addressing both physical and emotional needs.
Overcoming Challenges
He shared insights into the hurdles faced, including managing a volunteer-based team and adapting technology for real-world scenarios. A notable project involved fall detection using sensors, which encountered issues due to noisy environments and varying hearing abilities among seniors. Despite these obstacles, the team’s commitment to finding effective solutions remained strong.
The Role of Stakeholders
Zhennan highlighted the crucial role of stakeholders in their projects. He explained how a news article and partnerships with universities played a significant role in reviving and advancing their fall detection initiative. Building a robust network and securing support from various stakeholders are essential for driving successful projects.
Zhennan’s insights emphasize the importance of community engagement and innovation in tackling significant social challenges.
Hendrik Kohl - Mini talk show
Coming to the next section, Thao Tran welcomed Mr. Hendrik Kohl, who has pioneered nature-based solutions for environmental challenges like water management and biodiversity enhancement.
A Defining Journey Mr. Kohl shared his journey from growing up next to a forest to founding Impact Forest UZ. His upbringing amidst nature and his experiences in organic farming and business development inspired him to focus on urban greenery, especially in cities like Milan.
Impact Forest's Vision Kohl emphasized the holistic approach to environmental solutions, highlighting the interdependence of trees, soil, water, and microorganisms. His vision for Impact Forest involves community-driven projects that enhance the soil and promote dense planting, using methodologies like the Milwaukee approach.
Community Engagement Thao Tran explored how Kohl inspires community participation. Kohl discussed organizing community days, webinars, and practical activities like Biochar and Terra Preta production. These initiatives not only educate but also foster a sense of personal responsibility and collaboration.
Overcoming Challenges Addressing the challenges faced, especially during COVID-19, Kohl stressed the importance of hands-on community work. Despite initial difficulties, such as irrigation issues, his clear and functional approach has led to successful collaborations and tangible environmental benefits.
Inspiring Participation Kohl's emphasis on getting involved and working together resonated deeply. His belief that community efforts can turn individuals into environmental superheroes left a lasting impression.
The session concluded with a hopeful note on the power of collective action and the importance of practical, community-driven solutions to environmental challenges. Mr. Kohl's insights and experiences provided valuable lessons on the impact of nature-based solutions and community engagement.
Lucia Carazo - Mini talk show
Thao Tran welcomed Ms. Lucia Carazo, a passionate advocate for sustainable development and environmental policy. Lucia, who hails from Costa Rica, shared her journey from her home country's rich biodiversity to her groundbreaking work in developing carbon-neutral construction materials from healthcare waste.
Journey and Motivation
Lucia's journey began in Costa Rica, a country that, despite its small size, is home to a significant portion of the world's biodiversity. Growing up in such an environment, Lucia developed a deep understanding of sustainability as a fundamental aspect of life. This led her to pursue design engineering, where she saw an opportunity to address environmental problems, particularly those related to climate change.
Founding Sustained Material
Lucia came to Sustained Material after a university project on waste management led her to explore the potential of recycling textiles. Partnering with her co-founder Simon, they identified a dual challenge: the construction industry's resource exploitation and the healthcare industry's waste management issues. Together, they developed materials from healthcare waste, aiming to create a circular economy around it and promote sustainable construction practices.
Impact and Achievements
Lucia shared impressive statistics on the impact of their products. One ton of their thermal insulation can mitigate approximately 2.5 tons of CO2, reduce landfill occupation, and decrease resource exploitation. These efforts also help prevent healthcare-related diseases in communities where waste is often mismanaged. Sustained Material's innovations are making significant strides in promoting sustainable practices, with plans to expand their impact globally.
Challenges and Overcoming Stigma
One of the main challenges Sustained Material faced was the stigma around healthcare waste. Many people associate healthcare waste with disease and contamination. Lucia and her team worked hard to educate clients, builders, and architects about the true nature of the waste they use, highlighting that most of it is single-use plastic and safe to repurpose. Overcoming this stigma has been challenging but rewarding, as they have successfully changed many mindsets.
Looking Ahead
Lucia concluded with her vision for the future, aiming to scale their operations and increase their global impact. The goal is to multiply their positive environmental effects and establish a more sustainable approach to both healthcare waste and construction materials.
Thao Tran closing this session thanked Lucia for her inspiring and informative insights, looking forward to hearing more from her in the upcoming panel discussion. Lucia's journey and achievements highlight the potential of innovative solutions in tackling major environmental challenges and promoting sustainability.
Omar Mohammed - Mini talk show
01:30:01 - 01:43:02
Our final guest, Mr. Omar Mohammed, is a computer science and STEM lecturer, coordinator, and researcher with a robust background in electronics, telecommunication, and computer science. Omar is dedicated to pioneering research and empowering future tech leaders.
Journey into Technology Education:
Omar's passion for technology education began during his participation in a science fair as a student. Witnessing the transformative power of STEM education, he realized its potential to unlock students' capabilities and shape their futures. This experience inspired him to pursue a career in STEM education, recognizing the impact it can have on communities.
RoboGeek Academy Vision:
Omar shared his vision for RoboGeek Academy, highlighting their mission to expand from a local initiative to a global educational powerhouse. The academy aims to reach students worldwide, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing to tackle global challenges through STEM education. They plan to achieve this by partnering with tech institutions and participating in international workshops and challenges.
Key Achievements:
Omar illustrated the academy's achievements with a notable example from their participation in the First Global Challenge in Singapore. Despite facing infrastructure limitations in Lebanon, they innovatively combined solar panels with hydroponic agriculture to develop a sustainable solution. This project, a collaborative effort between students, educators, and stakeholders, earned them an award and showcased the power of community involvement in STEM projects.
Challenges and Collaboration:
One of the significant challenges Omar mentioned was convincing the community and stakeholders to engage with new technologies and research. Overcoming this required clear communication of each stakeholder's role and the benefits of their participation. Through persistence and successful collaborations, they have managed to gain support and continue their mission.
Long-term Goals:
Omar's long-term goal for RoboGeek Academy is to become a leading EdTech company, participating in global events and collaborating with international companies to find solutions to world problems. He emphasized the importance of education in building communities and fostering critical thinking and collaboration.
Omar's session was inspiring and highlighted the importance of community and stakeholder involvement in achieving educational and societal impact through STEM. His journey and achievements underscore the potential of collaborative efforts in driving technological education forward.
The third session was a panel discussion also hosted by Ms. Thao Tran from Kambria with 4 beloved guest speakers. This session invited all Guest Speakers to share about 2 main topics: utilizing the technology to support the social challenge that the DAOs aim to solve, and creating the community impact together.
Panel discussion Highlights
Exploring Technological Solutions for Home Gatherings
Mr. Hendrik Kohl discussed the role of technology in addressing climate change and enhancing community collaboration. He emphasized the importance of using artificial intelligence for efficiency and sustainable practices, such as eco-restoration and water conservation. Kohl advocated for gamification and data-driven approaches to engage communities and promote environmental actions.
Driving Environmental Solutions Through Recycling
Ms. Lucia Carrazo outlined three key pillars for encouraging recycling and environmental solutions: awareness, education, and collaboration. She stressed the need for increased awareness of ethical responsibilities, the importance of educating future generations, and the power of unified efforts to drive meaningful change.
Adopting Elderly Care Technology
Zhennan Low shared insights from Code for Singapore, focusing on fall detection and prevention. He highlighted the value of partnering with a DAO to gather extensive data from multiple senior homes, which is crucial for improving elderly care solutions. More data and broader partnerships could enhance the effectiveness of these technologies.
Enhancing Community-Based Learning with Robotics
Omar discussed the flexibility and global reach of his company’s educational kit. Designed to support a wide range of users and projects, the kit is compatible with various programs and promotes collaboration. Omar’s focus is on making technology accessible and encouraging participation in community-based learning initiatives.
The panelists provided a range of perspectives on leveraging technology for environmental and social impact, underscoring the importance of collaboration, data, and innovation in driving progress.
Community Q&A Recap
Question: Where does Kambria see itself in 2025?
Ms. Lien Cao addressed Kambria's vision for 2025, emphasizing a future characterized by decentralization and individual empowerment. She shared that Kambria envisions a world where autonomous communities thrive across various geographies, driven by compassion and service to others. Technology is expected to play a crucial role in this vision, contributing to societal sustainability. Kambria aims to build the infrastructure necessary for this future and invites everyone to join in realizing this vision, encouraging a collective commitment to the journey ahead.
Wrap-up and next milestone
As wrapping up the event, Kambria extends heartfelt thanks to all our esteemed guests, participants for their valuable contributions and engaging discussions and also updated the upcoming milestones.
Upcoming Milestones:
- Online Tech-powered Elderly Care DAO Launch event in September 2024 with key points including:
- Proposal presentation with Q&A from Community & Experts
- Kick start the fundraising on XDAO - How to join
- On Dec 2 is Dev Team Proposal submission for all opening DAOs
- Other DAOs' Launch Events will be organized in January 2025
We appreciate everyone’s involvement and look forward to future collaborations that drive social impact. For ongoing updates and discussions, join Kambria’s Discord channel. Feel free to reach out with any questions or suggestions.
Thank you for being a part of this inspiring journey. Have a wonderful day or night!
