World’s first bamboo mobile smartphone to launch in UK

A high-end smartphone made largely from bamboo is set for launch in the UK later this year. The unusual mobile has been created by 23-year-old Kieron-Scott Woodhouse, a design student at Middlesex University.

The device, called 'ADzero', has a casing made from hardened bamboo. Woodhouse said he is also  looking at using bamboo in other parts of the product. Woodhouse said: "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."

Though the final features of the phone have not yet been specified, Woodhouse told MSN Tech & Gadgets the ADzero will run the Android operating system and will "fall at the higher end of the Android market". "Our current prototypes are running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and have specs that rival current market leaders," he added.

The phone's camera will also use an innovative feature called 'ring flash'. This uses a circular flash, which surrounds the camera's lens and is designed to ensure more even illumination of subjects.

Woodhouse worked on the phone in his spare time during the final year of his design course, having become frustrated with the lack of variety in the mobile phone market. After posting his creations on forums and websites, Woodhouse was approached by an investor who helped him set up a company to manufacture the phone.

Though the ADzero was initially intended for the Chinese market, the launch plans were changed after it proved a hit at London Design Week 2011. The phone will now go on sale in the UK first, with Woodhouse's company AD hoping to sell it in 'design-aware' shops and boutiques. The launch is planned for later in 2012.

"The whole experience so far has been incredible and completely unexpected," said Woodhouse. "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."