As soon as the sun peeks through the clouds, customers flock to the patios and outdoor seating areas of cafés and restaurants to make the most of the opportunity to be out in the fresh air. But when the sunny weather is accompanied by chilly temperatures, café and restaurant owners tend to use (not particularly energy-friendly) heaters to keep guests warm. The “heatme smart” heated cushion system was developed as a new solution to address this specific problem. It is designed for use at cafés, restaurants, hotels, events and public buildings. The cushions are stored in an aesthetically pleasing, compact and elegantly coloured tower that can be integrated into different environments. Not only is the tower a storage unit for the cushions, but it also recharges their batteries with sophisticated induction technology so that they are ready to be used again. The jury thought the heatme charging system was very clever, noting that “the product is an aesthetic solution to an everyday problem with a sustainable design.” The product genuinely deserves kudos for its sustainability because it is made with a high proportion of recyclates. All components are replaceable and, reflecting the circularity principle, are easily separated at the end of the product’s life for reuse or recycling. Energy efficiency is ensured by keeping the heat emitted by the Smart cushions at a near body heat level, and by an integrated occupancy sensor that automatically turns the heating function on when someone sits down and off a few moments after they get up. The heat function can also be switched on or off with a one-push button. A control tab allows the individual regulation of temperature to personal requirements in three increments. When designing the cushions, the developers considered various seat shapes, and they are available in round, square and rectangular versions. The easy-care covers feature high-quality embroidery details and come in an appealing range of colours. “We were very taken with the whole package – from the concept of keeping outdoor guests warm in winter to the finishing,” praised the jury.
