01
29/7/15
16:59
Page 1
INNOVATION FOR INDEPENDENCE
ISSUE 104 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 £6.95
3D printed hands in the running for £50,000 first prize By Dominic Musgrave TEN designers, developers and entrepreneurs have been named finalists in the inclusive technology prize – a competition intended to help unearth new products, technologies and systems for the 12.2 million people living with a long term illness or disability in the UK. The Inclusive Technology Prize is designed to champion the issue of assistive technology and encourage co-creation with disabled people. More than 200 ideas were entered,with the judging panel whittling this down to just 25 semi-finalists in March. They each received £2,000 in addition to support from Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Enterprise and Innovation Team to develop their ideas. The 10 finalists will now each receive £10,000 as well as tailored support to develop a prototype, conduct user testing and create viable business plans. A winner will be selected from the finalists in March 2016 and awarded £50,000 to help bring their product to market. Finalists for the prize include: HandyClix from National Star: Wheelchair lap belts require two hands to connect them but many users are impaired in the use of their hands. HandyClix is a one
handed lap belt designed to allow the user to attach and tighten it themselves. How do I? from Swiss Cottage School, Development and Research Centre: Uses Near Field Communication (NFC) to teach independent living skills to those with learning difficulties. Affordable Hands by Open Bionics: 3D printing of bionic hands that will be sold to amputees for £1,000 directly and helping to promote independence, including, picking up forks, getting dressed, or going to the bathroom. Constance Agyeman, programme manager at Nesta, and on behalf of the Prize, said: “We’re looking forward to working with the finalists to hone their inventions and help bring them one step closer to market. “Each of the innovative solutions helps to bridge the gap for the millions of people in the UK that struggle with everyday tasks and hope they inspire others to bring their digital and technological skills to bear for this audience.” The Inclusive Technology Prize is run by Nesta in partnership with Leonard Cheshire Disability and with support from the Department for Work and Pensions, Innovate UK, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills and Irwin Mitchell.
A woman whose husband and daughter were killed in a speedboat accident has been named as the official ambassador of a new 10k run in London. Victoria Milligan lost her left leg in the incident in May 2013 which took the lives of her husband Nick and daughter Emily, and now wears a prosthetic. She will be one of thousands taking part in Vitality WestRun London on October 4 which starts on the New Kings Road and finishes on Eel Brook Common, taking a picturesque route around the streets of Fulham on fully closed roads. Victoria said: “I have never run 10k before, but I am determined to cross the finish line regardless of whether I run, jog or walk, all in aid of Child Bereavement UK. If I can do it, really, anyone can.”