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2016-17 Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge Finalists Announced

The Stanford Center on Longevity has announced nine Finalists in its 2016-17 Design Challenge “Innovating Aging in Place.” Now in its fourth year, the Challenge’s chief aim is to encourage a new generation of designers to become engaged in finding creative solutions that support well-being across the life span. Conducted in collaboration with Aging 2.0, the Challenge is open to student submissions from any accredited university worldwide. This year’s event attracted 74 teams from 20 countries spanning the globe.

“We’ve seen tremendous interest from innovative student designers across disciplines, whose ideas include software, services, and consumer products that help people of all ages remain healthy and vigorous in their own homes.” said Ken Smith, Director of the Challenge.

Teams will be awarded $1000 to develop their designs further and will travel to Stanford for the finals, scheduled for March 30th. They will compete for a $10,000 first prize and present their designs to companies and investors. More details >

This year’s finalists are (in alphabetical order):

A-Helper –Beijing University, Beijing, China – This gardening tool focuses on the desire of older people in rural China to be able to grow their own vegetables, a traditional pastime made difficult by the movement of the younger generation to more urban environments.

BeeHome – University of California, Berkeley – A platform that matches seniors with tenants who offer them assistance on household chores in exchange for a more affordable housing option.

GoGoGrandparent – Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA – A technology platform with a touch-tone interface that allows seniors without a smartphone to take advantage of ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft.

Rendever – Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA – A virtual reality device that enables three-dimensional visits to travel destinations and places people remember from the past.

Seat Case – Cornell University, Ithaca, NY – This suitcase is designed to double as a stable seating platform for seniors on the go.

SmartLift – University of Waterloo, Toronto, Canada – A sit-to-stand device that helps prevent strains and injury when moving in and out of a chair.

TAME – National University of Sciences and Technology. Islamabad, Pakistan – An assistive glove whose technology enables those with hand tremors to manipulate objects in a more stable and secure manner.

Timtim por Timtim – University of São Paulo, São Paulo., Brazil – Classes designed for people aged 60 and over, that explain the technology most relevant to their lives, in a downloadable format.

Uppo – Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA- A mobility device whose design is intended to help users maintain a sense of security without compromising posture.


About the Challenge

The Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge is a global competition aimed at encouraging students to design products and services to improve the lives of people across all ages. Established in 2013, the Challenge is focused on ways to motivate and empower people in their daily lives both inside their homes and in their community. The challenge is conducted in collaboration with Aging 2.0.

The challenge is made possible by generous sponsorship from a number of companies and foundations. Lead sponsorship is provided by the Halbert Hargrove. Additional financial support has been provided by AirBnB, The Davis Phinney Foundation, Eskaton, Home Care Assistance, and Home Instead Senior Care.