Smart Ageing Prize 2016
What was the 2016 Smart Ageing Prize?
The first Smart Ageing Prize was a €50,000 prize funded by The Active and Assisted Living (AAL) Programme for the best innovation in internet-connected devices and technologies to empower older adults to achieve the quality of life they aspire to, socially and independently.
The innovation needed to present a business opportunity which improves connectivity between older adults, devices and technologies related to any aspect of their life (e.g., home, social, work, study, transport or services). Innovations were required to involve older adults in the development and testing of the technology.
Why did we do this?
Globally, the ageing population is increasing at an unprecedented rate. By 2060 one in three Europeans will be over 65. This demographic shift presents a challenge as well as an exciting commercial opportunity as the Silver Economy emerges as a new market.
Innovative technological approaches are needed that cater to the needs and aspirations of older adults, empowering them to continue to lead independent lives and play an active role in society, whether that be at home, work, education, or in their community.
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This challenge was funded by
Impact of the Prize
- 74% of finalists’ solutions were judged to be able to bring positive impact to end users
- 72% of finalists developed new partnerships thanks to participating in the Prize
- 82% of finalists rated their experience in the Prize as either very good or good
- 81% of finalists were likely to bring their product to market at the end of the Prize
- 78% of partners recognised the Prize was addressing an important issue in which innovation is needed
Winner – Memoride (Berlin)
Memoride (formally ACTIV84HEALTH EXPLORER) is a platform that allows users to freely explore known and new areas while being physically active, from within the safety and comfort of an indoor setting. The platform uses Google Streetview images and opens a window to the world for the users that can no longer go outside independently.
The finalists
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AlzhUp (Spain)
AlzhUp is a unique digital social-health service platform for treating dementia and help in active ageing. AlzhUp is an aggregator of scientifically validated non-pharmacological therapies, which are completely customised to each patient.
They were one of the top five finalists.
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Anne: Your Personal Assistant (Netherlands)
Anne is a friendly, human-looking avatar on the screen (computer, TV, tablet or smartphone). Anne can hear, speak and execute commands, using speech recognition. The personal assistant is an efficient support, an extension to professional care rather than a replacement.
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CogniWin (Portugal)
CogniWin supports and motivates older adults to stay active and productive at work by providing smart assistance and well-being guidance.
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GiveVision: SightPlus (UK)
SightPlus is a wearable, hands-free, vision-enhancement application powering smart glasses to assist visually impaired people. SightPlus, enables people with sight impairments to see again by combining real time video augmentation with heads-up display technology to leverage their remaining vision.
They were one of the top five finalists.
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Emma – Flexible Living Assistant (Austria)
Emma combines applications and real services in a tailor-made solution that helps at home and connects users with their social network.
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Flux (UK)
Flux is a video chat device designed to digitally connect older generations with their family through a simple, easy to use interface.
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Kemuri (UK)
Kemuri has developed a web service that checks older people every hour to give families peace of mind, or highlights changes to normal activity.
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Memrica Prompt (UK)
Memrica Prompt emulates the way memory works to help older people living with memory problems make the most of each day. An app creates contextual records of shared history with family, friends and places to help users prepare for social events and journeys.
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RelaxedCare (Austria)
RelaxedCare is a smart home IoT tool connecting seniors with loved ones, providing well-being statuses and simple communication.
They were one of the top five finalists.
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Riot by Alcove (UK)
Data insights from IoT sensors trigger behavioural nudges sent to wearable or in-home devices, empowering people to best support themselves.
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Talkitt (Israel)
Talkitt’s speech recognition technology translates the unintelligible sounds of the speech-disabled into clear speech in real time.
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TAVLA (Germany)
TAVLA offers a new app platform for seniors and disabled people that improves their quality of life and enables them to stay longer in their home.
They were one of the top five finalists.
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Ubiquid (France)
Ubiquid transforms clothes and valuable objects of residents in retirement homes into connected objects. Thanks to RFID tags, Ubiquid allows every object to be identified and localised. Residents benefit from peace of mind, knowing that their belongings will not be lost, stolen or damaged. Employees in retirement homes can sort, check or search objects at least 50% quicker than with any other solution and keep track of their work.
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Visual Assistant for the Visually Impaired (UK)
A smart device screens tailored to the eye condition that support visually impaired people to live fuller more enriching lives.
ABOUT THE PRIZE
175 applications…
were received from 26 different countries
15 of the most promising entries…
were selected as finalists and received support to develop a detailed business plan
Five finalists…
were invited to pitch their ideas at the AAL Forum, before the winner was awarded
Who were the Challenge Judges?
- Heidrun Mollenkopf, BAGSO Board Member and Vice President of AGE Platform Europe
- Lekshmy Parameswaran, Director of research and strategy at Fuelfor
- Karin Weiss, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Grants at the AGE Foundation
- Nick Guldemond, Assistant Professor at University Medical Center Utrecht
- Viviane von Doellen, Cadre supérieur at the Stëftung Hëllef Doheem LU
- Roland Pouillie, Expert for the Flemish Agency for Care and Health
- Bruno de Oliveira Alves, Policy Advisor at the European Commission
- Peter Saraga, Chair of the AAL Advisory Board
