Mr Humfreez by ANZ Bank is a technological innovation that uses no plastics, no rare earth metals, and no power source. In collaboration with the University of Toronto, we created a world-first by programming one of earth’s most abundant materials - wood. The innovative device raises awareness about the shocking 50% of New Zealand homes that are too cold and damp, causing 1600 premature deaths annually. Calibrated to World Health Organisation standards, the device detects changes in humidity and temperature at home. It’s designed in a way that even children can understand, since they’re the worst affected by unhealthy homes.

New Zealand’s largest home lender, ANZ Bank, made a commitment to help Kiwis live in warmer, drier homes - offering interest-free loans for home insulation and heating.

Faced with a culture of Kiwis used to ‘toughing it out’ over winter, our brief was to create a design-led solution that captivated and educated Kiwis on this issue. Instead of making another plastic gadget destined for the landfill, we limited ourselves to using only natural, sustainable materials. We sought to innovate with technology that could capture a child’s imagination, and create healthier outcomes for young people and the planet they will inherit. Our technological influences came from emerging research in bio-design, specifically 3D printed hygroscopic programmable materials. It demonstrated how a wood veneer composite could be programmed to autonomously respond to changes in humidity. Showing changes in ambient humidity via this ‘smart wood’ elicited a strong emotional response from our young audience.

As children are the ones most affected by damp, cold homes, our innovative solution was aimed at educating children and young families. We aimed to show Kiwis the health of the home in a way that made them care about this issue. So we created a 100% sustainable device that sparked healthy conversations, and unashamedly looked great in your home. Mr Humfreez by ANZ is a world-first innovation that detects home health in a way children can understand. Instead of using plastics and rare earth metals, the technology was created by programming one of earth’s most abundant materials - wood. Calibrated to World Health Organisation standards for healthy home, the device shows you when your home is too damp, or too cold. His face goes blue when the temperature dips below the safe level of 18ºC and his horns uncurl when the air is dangerously humid (above 65% R/H).

Research on natural materials commences: Jan 2019

Design exploration : February – April 2019

Prototype development: May – July 2019

First prototype Mr Humfreez unit completed: July 2019

Testing and calibrating begins: July 2019

5x prototype units developed: August 2019

Packaging design and development: August – September 2019

Further humidity and temperature calibration work: September 2019

Coat manufacturing: September – October 2019

Packaging manufacturing: October 2019

Body manufacturing: October 2019

Head manufacturing: October 2019

Assembling Mr Humfreez: November 2019

Dispatch of first batch of 100 units: December 2019

Education program commences: Feb 2020

4,000 pairs of hygroscopic horns completed: March 2020

3rd generation horns designed, tested and manufactured: August 2020.

Winter 2020 Campaign in market: June – August 2020

Custom made thermochromic ink on Mr Humfreez’s face turns blue below 18ºC. His hygroscopic horns are programmed to uncurl when humidity rises over 65%. Created in collaboration with the University of Toronto, the world-first technology in his horns harnesses the hygroscopic properties of wood veneer composite to trigger a shape change in response to fluctuations of external relative humidity. Computational tools are used to design the complex interaction between the various programmable and functional parameters of the material structure. The resulting Hygroscopic Programmable Material Systems (Mr Humfreez’s horns) embody the capacity to sense, actuate and react to climatic changes, all within the material itself. The device in now in its 3rd generation, with more durable horns that are 2x faster at responding to changes in humidity. The technology also serves to captivate and educate our young audience. Kids were at the forefront of every design decision in the making of Mr Humfreez. From his core behaviour that even a child can understand, to his name (‘hum’ for humidity, ‘freez’ for cold), his rhyming message and his fluffy coat of merino wool for added warmth. The launch campaign was combined with an education programme to help young Kiwis take action.

• Mr Humfreez is being trialled as a teaching tool to become part of the NZ school curriculum, showing future generations how sustainable innovation can help create healthy conditions at home.

• Thanks to Mr Humfreez, over 3X more Kiwis now associate ANZ with Healthy Homes than any other bank.

• Government agencies and NGOs are seeking potential partnership opportunities - including Housing NZ, EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority), The Asthma & Respiratory Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.

• Mass production is underway in phase 2 due to global demand.

• Mr Humfreez broke benchmarks, driving 5X more search volume than any other ANZ campaign.

• We received over 50,000 registrations during the campaign, a massive figure in the local home loans market.

• 94% positive social media sentiment during the campaign. Incredible for ANZ bank at a time of significant reputational challenges in New Zealand and Australia.