James Trevelyan

What makes you most optimistic about the future of your industry?

Four factors are driving personal air-conditioning.

Climates are warming.

Summer temperatures in cities are rising even faster.

Productivity growth has almost stopped. We’re not going to see new buildings popping up everywhere. Most of us will be living in the buildings we see today.

Electricity to run air-conditioners at night will be more expensive when the sun doesn’t shine.

Only a tiny minority living in hot climates can afford traditional air-conditioning.

Personal air-conditioning is energy-efficient, sustainable and affordable. Everyone can enjoy comfort while sleeping and working, without altering existing buildings.

Why would I not be optimistic!

About James Trevelyan

James Trevelyan is an engineer, educator, researcher and start-up entrepreneur. As founder and inventor of Close Comfort, he is introducing new energy-saving, low emissions air conditioning technology for a global market. His research on engineering practice helped define the Engineers Australia professional competencies for chartered engineers. His books “The Making of an Expert Engineer” and “Learning Engineering Practice” are influencing the future of engineering education in universities and workplaces. He is best known internationally for pioneering research on sheep shearing robots from 1975 till 1993 and for the first industrial robot that could be remotely operated via the internet in 1994. He has worked as an expert witness on several significant intellectual property matters in Australia and internationally. He has also managed his family investment portfolio for several decades and has advised family investment companies in the UK and Australia.

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