ADzero – The bamboo unibody Android smartphone

If you’re like me, you’re tired of your phones sinking. Kieron-Scott Woodhouse’s unique bamboo smartphone designs are something else. In an attempt to break free from the smartphone industry’s general design malaise, the 23 year old final year product design student at Middlesex University experimented with fresh ideas in his free time.

Woodhouse’s designs received an enthusiastic reception at a design show during London Design Week last year and he was subsequently contacted by a technology entrepreneur who, with the aid of a hardware engineer, will help bring his design ideas to life in 2012.

Their first collaboration is called ADzero. Constructed from as many sustainable sources as possible, the handset’s body is made out of four year old organically grown bamboo treated for durability. “Bamboo may seem like a strange material to use for a phone, but it’s actually extremely strong and very durable, perfect qualities for this kind of application”, Woodhouse said.

ADzero has a unique camera flash called a ‘ring flash’. The ring flash circles the camera’s lens, which ensures even illumination and minimises shadows. The handset runs on Android and weighs approximately two times less than an iPhone.

“The whole experience so far has been incredible and completely unexpected. Completing my final year and working has been challenging, but my course and the project complement each other well and it’s a great start of my career. I can’t wait to see my mobile phone in shops this year,” added Woodhouse.

Woodhouse plans on launching the phone in the UK first and then other markets. The company will target ‘design aware’ retailers and boutiques in the UK.

Check out this video of Woodhouse talking about Adzero.