April 18, 2016 – CHICAGO – element14, the world’s largest electronic design community, announces today the finalists of itsMake Life Accessible Design Challenge. Sponsored by NXP, element14 is challenging its community members to use motor control technology to create innovative mobility solutions that will improve the lives and accessibility of people living with physical limitations.
“The submissions we received for the Make Life Accessible Challenge ranged from a solar powered ice melter to a motorized, articulated table top – addressing simple everyday challenges most able-bodied people overlook,” said Dianne Kibbey, Global Head of Content and Community, element14. “We’re excited to see these ideas come to fruition and help provide a more accessible and comfortable lifestyle for people with all levels of physical abilities.”
The 13 challengers in the Make Life Accessible Design Challenge, their home countries and their solutions include:
Yao Feng, China: Intelligent elbow motion assist module
Ambrogio Galbusera, Italy: Eye tracker and automated drawing system
Douglas Wong, Canada: Solar powered device to direct sunlight to melt snow
David Delebassee, Belgium: Pen cap remover
Graham Webber, Saudi Arabia: Smart storage system
Brenda Armour, Canada: Mobile resting station to lift cats
Carlos Rios, Mexico: Vibrating glove for two way communication
Benjamin Bonnal, Switzerland: Automated bedside drawer opener
Mocanu Andreea Catalina, Romania: Motorized guiding stick for people with unusual impairment
Alexandros Pilios, Netherlands: Motorized Brain Assist. Modular system (MOBRAS)
Scott Coppersmith, United States: Motorized articulating table top
Bram Kools, Netherlands: Adjustable room furniture
Tyler Roush, United States: Motorized carousel system to reach high cupboards
Challengers have until June 6 to build and submit their projects to be eligible for prizes. element14 will provide an officialDesign Challenge Kit and NXP Freedom Development Board, which challengers are required to use in their design.
Final projects will be judged on originality, innovation and technical merit by a panel of expert judges including NXP’s Mark Houston and Benjamin Heckendorn, host of element14’s The Ben Heck Show. The winners will be announced on June 21and their awards will be the following:
Grand Prize – Design will be featured on element14’s The Ben Heck Show and the designer will receive an NXP High-Voltage Development Platform Kit, Oculus Rift, Oculus Touch Controller and Go Pro Hero 4 Black
Second Prize – The designer will receive an Oculus Rift and an Oculus Touch Controller
Third Prize – The designer will receive a GoPro Hero Session
All Challengers who submit a completed project will receive NHT Superbuds. Each of the 13 challengers will provide weekly updates on their progress through blog posts, photos and videos via the element14 Community.
To learn more about the Make Life Accessible Challenge and follow along with the 13 challengers, visit
https://www.element14.com/makelifeaccessible.
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