New York State Department of Health Announces Aging Innovation Challenge Semi-Finalists
Receives 35 Submissions from New York State College and University Students
Aging Innovation Challenge Seeks Breakthrough Solution to Assist Older Adults with Independent Living
Winning Proposal Will Receive a Share of the $50,000 Overall Prize Pool
ALBANY, N.Y. (May 15, 2018) – The New York State Department of Health is excited to announce the semi-finalists for the Aging Innovation Challenge; a crowdsource competition developed in partnership with HeroX aimed at finding innovative solutions to assist older adults and their caregivers in completing activities of daily living. The competition was open to all undergraduate and graduate students attending a New York college or university. The Department received 35 submissions and has narrowed the field down to 24 semi-finalists.
“It was wonderful to see the overwhelming response to our crowdsourcing challenge,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard Zucker. “The submissions we received are truly inspiring, and I believe the next big invention to change the quality of life of older adults and those who care for them may come from a student in a New York college or university.”
Innovators were required to submit a written proposal of their prototype by April 30, 2018. The selected semi-finalists will be asked to submit a final prototype by November 1, 2018. Five finalists will be selected to make a live demonstration of their prototypes during the week of November 28, 2018. Finalists will have the opportunity to make a 15-minute presentation demonstrating their prototype and its impact for older adults and their caregivers.
State Office for the Aging Acting Director Greg Olsen said, “As New York State’s population continues to age, it is critical that we address the evolving needs of older adults and caregivers. We are excited about the competition submissions and the innovative and collaborative solutions being proposed to help older New Yorkers live as independently as possible in their homes and communities of choice.”
Judges will score competitors based on innovation, impact, usability, and implementation. Following the live demonstration, judges will determine one Grand Prize Winner.
The Semi-Finalists Are (in no particular order):
| School | Entry title |
|---|---|
| Rochester Institute of Technology and Babson College | Ilume |
| Stony Brook University | Stroke-Assist Device |
| Cornell University | PediCure |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Virtual Cane |
| New York City College of Technology | Mobile Assist Robotic System (MARS) |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | ABS - Wheelchair Accessible Toilet |
| Ithaca College | A Lightweight Walking Device to Prevent Falls |
| University at Buffalo, SUNY | Toilet Seat Helper |
| Dominican College /td> | Grab it N Go: Battery-Powered Assistive Reacher< |
| Stony Brook University | Walk Assist Device for Rehabilitation |
| Stony Brook University | Complete Ambulation Assist Device (CAAD) |
| Corning Community College | Grip M8: 3D Printed Grip Assist for Everyday Tasks |
| Syracuse University | Pneu-Strength |
| University at Buffalo | mRehab: In-Home Upper limb Rehabilitation Tool |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | ebb |
| Niagara County Community College | The Handy Spoon |
| University at Buffalo, SUNY | Dress 2 Impress |
| NYU | Fortify Rehab |
| Cornell University | StairPro: promoting independence at every step! |
| Cornell University | SNAPTowel and SNAPron-Household Goods for Seniors |
| Clarkson University, Hudson Valley Community College, University at Buffalo SUNY | Stair Gripping Cane |
| Erie Community College | Rotating Leg Lifter |
| New York Institute of Technology | Walking Without The Pressure |
| NYU Tandon | Pushion |
ABOUT HeroX
Founded in 2013, HeroX exists at the intersection of crowdsourcing, competition and collaboration. The HeroX crowdsourcing platform brings together global communities of problem solvers to deliver breakthrough solutions to social, economic, and strategic challenges. www.herox.com.
