Almost everyone wants to know what “Kara” means.
Inspiration from Nature: The Namibian Desert Beetle
It all started when Cody, the CEO and Founder of Kara Water, was fascinated by the Namibian Desert Beetle. This unique insect can convert atmospheric air into drinking water, an amazing discovery even featured in a TED Talk by an English architect named Michael Pawlyn.
Biomimicry and Innovation
In this TED Talk, Mr. Pawlyn explained the concept of biomimicry, which involves studying nature and replicating its functions to solve human challenges. For instance, a solar panel mimics the process of photosynthesis in plants. The primary concept Mr. Pawlyn conveyed during his TED Talk was “factor 10,000(x),” referring to technologies developed by nature that humans can replicate to increase efficiency or output by a factor of 10,000.
The Namibian Desert Beetle or Stenocara Gracilipes, can make clean water from the air. It was hypothesized that, through the science of biomimicry, its ability to turn air into water could be scaled to produce potable water at a factor of 10,000. This tiny beetle, no larger than a small pebble and using nothing more than the shell on its back, could produce enough water to consume 30% of its body weight in the driest desert in the world.
The Potential of Biomimicry
The Namibian Desert Beetle’s remarkable ability to extract water from the air in one of the driest environments on Earth is a testament to the power of biomimicry. This tiny insect has evolved a remarkable shell structure that allows it to condense moisture from the air and convert it into usable water. The beetle can produce enough water to consume 30% of its body weight—a truly astounding feat.
The potential for scaling this natural phenomenon is truly exciting. Researchers hypothesize that by replicating and improving upon the structure of the beetle’s shell, we could potentially produce potable water at a factor of 10,000 times the beetle’s capabilities. By harnessing the principles that allow the desert beetle to thrive in such a harsh environment, we could develop water harvesting systems capable of producing vast quantities of clean, drinkable water.
Addressing Global Water Scarcity
Imagine the transformative impact this could have on communities and regions facing severe water scarcity. By drawing inspiration from nature’s ingenious solutions, we could unlock new avenues for addressing one of the world’s most pressing challenges: the global water crisis. The Namibian Desert Beetle’s remarkable abilities serve as a powerful reminder that the answers we seek may already exist in the natural world, waiting to be discovered and applied to improve the human condition. With the power of biomimicry at our fingertips, the possibilities for addressing water scarcity are truly limitless.
The Journey of Kara Water
After learning about this and beginning the journey to develop the technology, it wasn’t until years later that the name Kara Water came into existence. Initially disliking the term “atmospheric water generator,” Cody preferred the term “air-to-water dispenser.” However, while descriptive, this term was still not the right name for a game-changing product.
The realization happened during a dinner one night while Cody was still practicing architecture in London. He was discussing what the name of the company should be, and after telling the story of the TED Talk by Michael Pawlyn and how it inspired the creation of what is now Kara Pure, one person suggested, “Your inspiration didn’t come from Michael Pawlyn; it came from the beetle; you should name it after the beetle!” This statement resonated with Cody.
The final name emerged from more research. Every time Cody searched for “Namibian desert beetle,” the name “Stenocara Gracilipes” appeared. ‘Cara’ or ‘Kara’ was derived from the beetle’s scientific name. If you look closely, the Kara logo is the outline of the beetle’s shell, paying true tribute to the inspiration behind Kara Water.
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