Useful systems programme
Fix the ordinary systems everyone accepts as broken.
Public summaries show the problem, intended benefit, honest stage and a non-technical next step. Experiment requirements remain private.
01
Roadworks Reality
PrototypeProblem: People cannot easily tell whether disruptive roadworks match the published plan.
Intended benefit: Clearer public information about works and disruption.
Next: Review the fictional demonstrator with highways and community representatives.
02
BrickSight
InterviewsProblem: Important checks can be difficult to evidence before work is covered or fixed in place.
Intended benefit: Better-supported site review and handover.
Next: Hold non-confidential interviews with experienced bricklayers.
03
Water Commons
MissionProblem: Reliable free drinking-water access is inconsistent.
Intended benefit: Easier access to trusted refill options.
Next: Speak with public-space and water-access organisations.
04
Useful Futures Club
CommunityProblem: Useful observations often have no practical route into research.
Intended benefit: A supervised pathway for locally useful ideas.
Next: Develop the safeguarding and participation model.
05
DryProof
ResearchProblem: Facilities lack comparable evidence about hand-drying outcomes.
Intended benefit: Better purchasing and maintenance decisions.
Next: Seek independent review of a non-confidential study brief.
06
SnapRail
Engineering researchProblem: Moving essential loads can be difficult where ordinary transport is unavailable.
Intended benefit: Reduced manual effort in a tightly bounded use case.
Next: Seek an engineering and humanitarian research partner.
07
WaterAudio
HoldProblem: Listening around water can be awkward and inaccessible.
Intended benefit: Simpler offline listening if a meaningful improvement is possible.
Next: No prototype work is planned.
Detailed mechanisms, test requirements and costed plans are kept in the private research register and shared only under appropriate terms.
