CER Team: Eddie, first of all, a huge congratulations to you and the team! Winning the CER Innovation Prize is a major nod to Otterpack’s impact. How does it feel to have your work recognized on such a global, mission-driven stage?
Eddie Pevzner (Otterpack CBO): Thank you! It’s truly an honor. At Otterpack, our DNA is rooted in solving the most basic human need—clean water—in the most difficult conditions. Being recognized by the CER is special because they look beyond just “good tech”; they look for “tech for good.” It validates that our mission to provide life-saving water anywhere in the world is resonating with people who care about global impact.
At CER Award Ceremony in Munich
Bringing Artificial Intelligence into Water Filtration
CER: The prize specifically highlighted your new AI mobile application. Most people think of water filters as mechanical tools. Why did Otterpack decide to bring Artificial Intelligence into the mix?
Eddie: You’re right; the filter is the “muscle,” but the AI is the “brain.” In a disaster zone or a remote military operation, you need to know exactly what you’re drinking. Our AI app provides real-time monitoring of water quality, flow rates, and filter health. It takes the guesswork out of survival. If the water source changes or a filter needs maintenance, the app alerts the user immediately. It’s about turning a piece of hardware into a smart, managed utility.
At COE HQ in Santo-Domingo
The Power of a Hybrid System
CER: One of the most famous features of the Otterpack is the “hybrid” power system. Can you explain why the manual handle is still such a critical part of your design in a high-tech world?
Eddie: It’s all about the “Zero-Failure” mindset. If you are in a flood zone or a desert, batteries die and solar panels can break. We designed Otterpack to run on a battery, but if all else fails, you can flip out a handle and manually pump it. It’s the only system in the world that uses Reverse Osmosis (RO) driven by manual rotation. You can literally hand-crank pure drinking water out of a swamp. That reliability is why NGOs and rescue units trust us.
At Rothschild Foundation HQ in Tel-Aviv
Real-World Impact Across Continents
CER: Otterpack is already being used across five continents. Can you share a specific moment or mission where you realized just how much this technology was needed?
Eddie: There have been many, but seeing the system deployed in immediate response zones—where infrastructure has completely collapsed—is always humbling. Whether it’s a medical team in a remote village or a rescue unit after an earthquake, seeing someone drink clean water from a source that looked like mud five minutes earlier never gets old. It reminds us that “portable” doesn’t just mean light; it means the difference between life and death when the taps stop running.
With Feeding the Hungry in Abuja, Nigeria
The Road Ahead for Otterpack
CER: Finally, what’s next? Now that you’ve secured the CER Prize, how will Otterpack use this momentum to grow in 2024 and beyond?
Eddie: This award gives us a fantastic platform to reach more humanitarian organizations. We are currently scaling our production to meet the demand from international defense and rescue agencies. Our goal is to make Otterpack the “gold standard” for portable water—making sure that no matter where a person is on the planet, they are never more than a few minutes away from a safe drink.