Inspirational design competition restarts to discover innovative assistive tech solutions
A creative assistive technology and independent living design competition is being relaunched by specialist housing and care charity Blackwood after a two-year break forced by the pandemic.
The Scottish-based challenge has previously delivered a host of life aids for people who are ageing or have disabilities, including an app that helps make living spaces safer for people with dementia and a “spill-proof” spoon for those affected by conditions which cause them to shake.
Now the Blackwood Design Awards, which attracts entries from all over the world, are resuming and hope to inspire a raft of new inventors to get involved in the Dragon’s Den-style challenge with new designs, technologies and adaptations submitted.
Fanchea Kelly, CEO of Blackwood, said: “It feels incredible to have the design awards back – and we can’t wait to see the pent-up inventiveness that is about to be unleashed.
“Over the nine years since we created and launched the awards, it has always amazed us to see how varied the entries have been. From intricate, high-tech products to basic designs and ideas that simply haven’t been considered before.
“There is an entire world of untapped innovation out there. We’re delighted to be offering an outlet for that creativity and inventiveness again and feel certain we’ll be helping more transformative products to become a reality.”
The Scottish independent living specialist’s competition is open for inventions, designs and concepts that can boost independent living and enable people with disabilities to live life to the full.
The deadline for submissions is 30th June 2022.
This year’s competition will be judged in the following distinct categories: Best Collaborative Project, Best New Concept and Best New Aids, Equipment, or Accessible Technology.
The competition can be entered by groups or individuals and is open to both seasoned professionals and gifted amateurs, meaning that both technologically advanced and those simpler, yet often most successful designs, are equally welcome.
Fanchea added: “The main thing we look for is the innovation to make a huge difference in helping those living with disabilities or age-related conditions to live more independently.
“Many previous entrants have gone on to achieve great things so it’s a fantastic opportunity for all budding designers out there”.
For more information or to enter, click here or email bespoken@blackwoodgroup.org.uk.
Blackwood is currently running the £12.5 million-funded Peoplehood Project, which aims to transform the future homes and communities of three distinct Scottish neighbourhoods using innovative assistive technologies.
A three-year initiative, the project will create a blueprint for welcoming communities with age-friendly homes, supported by “cutting-edge” technologies, making independent living achievable and sustainable as people grow older, with safe outdoor spaces to sustain physical activities.
As part of the Peoplehood Project, Blackwood enlisted the support of game developers at Hyper Luminal to create an independent living app. The MyLife app encourages residents to stay active and participate in local activities, with an incentive programme that rewards people for positive healthy lifestyle choices.