"Our civilisation would perish without new ideas”
Innovator of the month: Kaj Mickos
Innovation: Water-Saving Tap Nozzle and Water-saving shower head
He has started 14 different companies, has over 30 patented products on the market and is a professor of innovation technology at Mälardalen University. An inventor and entrepreneur who has dedicated his entire life to innovation. Together with two others, Kaj Mickos has developed a patented innovation that allows you to take advantage of every drop of water, thanks to a simple nozzle.
Kaj Mickos states that life is not predictable. He didn't plan for his life to turn out the way it did, his original plan was to become a silversmith. However, life took a different turn and today Kaj Mickos is known as a professor, entrepreneur, and advisor but also the innovator of the water-saving tap nozzle, which allows you to save up to 98% of water. He has also developed the innovative water-saving shower head, which is also available in the SmartaSaker range.
There are different definitions of what an innovation actually is. Kaj Mickos describes it as a surprising new item that has reached the market. However, he points out that innovation creation is not a solo sport, but a team sport. Distribution and sales are required. It is also important to start at the right end.
- 'It's not about collecting good ideas, but rather collecting good problems,' Kaj explains. Try to answer the question: what is the problem that needs to be solved?
The problem associated with the patented nozzle stemmed from the water problems around the world, particularly in China. The solution here was some kind of technology that could reduce the amount of water by reformatting the water jet. It was also important that the function and experience would not be negatively affected. The result was a nozzle with two different positions that finely distributes the water into water droplets that turn into a thin water mist.
The idea became a prototype, which then led to patent applications and the process immediately became more organised. However, interest was not as high as the innovator had initially hoped.
- I have often been ahead of my time, explains Kaj. The market has not always been ripe for my inventions.
Time passed, the market matured, and suddenly environmental issues became a hot topic where innovative solutions linked to environmental problems had a completely different kind of demand. IKEA approached Altered, the company Kaj Mickos founded with Johan Nihlén and Mikael Abbhagen, and asked if they were interested in developing a product with IKEA. And so it went, and the ÅBÄCKEN nozzle, designed by Altered and produced by IKEA, is now one of the products in IKEA's huge range.
- I'm most proud of the fact that the product has saved billions of litres of water and that we are helping to combat climate change. Now that IKEA also sells the product, we reach a wider target group.
When it comes to the future, Kaj Mickos describes himself as hopeful.
- There has never been as great a need for innovations as there is now. We face enormous challenges with climate change and electrification, and it is not politicians who will solve this. Technology development is needed. Our civilisation would perish if we did not come up with new ideas.
Kaj states with certainty:
- It is simply, "innovate or die".
Kaj's best advice to other innovators:
Make sure you are not infringing on someone else’s idea. This is where you can get help from Google Patents.
Are there others who have a need for the product? It is important that there is a demand.
It is not possible to run a development project without money. This is where it is essential to have well thought-out presentation material that clearly presents the product in question. Innovator of the month: Kaj Mickos
Innovation: Water-Saving Tap Nozzle and Water-saving shower head
He has started 14 different companies, has over 30 patented products on the market and is a professor of innovation technology at Mälardalen University. An inventor and entrepreneur who has dedicated his entire life to innovation. Together with two others, Kaj Mickos has developed a patented innovation that allows you to take advantage of every drop of water, thanks to a simple nozzle.
Kaj Mickos states that life is not predictable. He didn't plan for his life to turn out the way it did, his original plan was to become a silversmith. However, life took a different turn and today Kaj Mickos is known as a professor, entrepreneur, and advisor but also the innovator of the water-saving tap nozzle, which allows you to save up to 98% of water. He has also developed the innovative water-saving shower head, which is also available in the SmartaSaker range.
There are different definitions of what an innovation actually is. Kaj Mickos describes it as a surprising new item that has reached the market. However, he points out that innovation creation is not a solo sport, but a team sport. Distribution and sales are required. It is also important to start at the right end.
- 'It's not about collecting good ideas, but rather collecting good problems,' Kaj explains. Try to answer the question: what is the problem that needs to be solved?
The problem associated with the patented nozzle stemmed from the water problems around the world, particularly in China. The solution here was some kind of technology that could reduce the amount of water by reformatting the water jet. It was also important that the function and experience would not be negatively affected. The result was a nozzle with two different positions that finely distributes the water into water droplets that turn into a thin water mist.
The idea became a prototype, which then led to patent applications and the process immediately became more organised. However, interest was not as high as the innovator had initially hoped.
- I have often been ahead of my time, explains Kaj. The market has not always been ripe for my inventions.
Time passed, the market matured, and suddenly environmental issues became a hot topic where innovative solutions linked to environmental problems had a completely different kind of demand. IKEA approached Altered, the company Kaj Mickos founded with Johan Nihlén and Mikael Abbhagen, and asked if they were interested in developing a product with IKEA. And so it went, and the ÅBÄCKEN nozzle, designed by Altered and produced by IKEA, is now one of the products in IKEA's huge range.
- I'm most proud of the fact that the product has saved billions of litres of water and that we are helping to combat climate change. Now that IKEA also sells the product, we reach a wider target group.
When it comes to the future, Kaj Mickos describes himself as hopeful.
- There has never been as great a need for innovations as there is now. We face enormous challenges with climate change and electrification, and it is not politicians who will solve this. Technology development is needed. Our civilisation would perish if we did not come up with new ideas.
Kaj states with certainty:
- It is simply, "innovate or die".
Kaj's best advice to other innovators:
Make sure you are not infringing on someone else’s idea. This is where you can get help from Google Patents.
Are there others who have a need for the product? It is important that there is a demand.
It is not possible to run a development project without money. This is where it is essential to have well thought-out presentation material that clearly presents the product in question.
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