The AAL Programme is launching its first Challenge Prize to source innovations ininternet connected devices and technologies (Internet of Things) that empower older adults to achieve the quality of life they aspire to, socially and independently. The innovation should 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 must involve older adults in the development and testing of the technology. More info here.

The problem

When we are talking about aging well applications we have to consider combining these applications with other areas like smart appliances, smart building, smart grid, intelligent traffic, light control and all these together  will make the applications for the aging well solve some of the challenges that we have today in this domain.

IoT priorities for this area are digital health care and wellbeing. Focus on enriching citizen-centric IoT living indoor and outdoor environments and also wearables and seamless integration of IoT in smart buildings, homes and wellbeing . This will be a challenge in ideas that will come for this prize. Smart living environments for active and healty aging focus on citizen-centric IoT for creating age friendly environments, mobility, cities to foster independend living and active aging that enables seniors to live an active and healthy life .

AAL wants to use ICT, not to provide ICT solution by the sake of using ICT. This is because having a strong involvement or a point of view of the end user in the idea conception is absolutely necessary. It mustn’t be something essentialy new but to provide real benefits to the users. Creativity, immagination, good design are the main elements  that matter. Also, behind the solution, a business model, an impact and high level of adoption are mandatory. Technology that is not used is not worthy. Adoption and benefits for the seniors are crucial!

The challenge

For those interested in applying , the deadline for submitting your ideas is 13th of May, 12 o’clock.

Assession and selection by judging panels will follow next and 15 selected finalists will be announced on June, 16th. There will be an Academy in Brussels for those finalists, in July. Each finalist will be granted 500 euros to develop the prototype of the idea and the deadline for submission of business plans will be in August. These will be assesed by the groups of assessors and a final selection for the winner will be made by the panel judges. The winner will be announced on the 27th September and awarded a prize of 50,000 Euros. Marketing support and visibility will be also provided to the winner.  One important thing about this prize is the light it brings on your particular product or innovation, to a lot of customers and investors .

This challenge is for EU countries and countries that participate in the EU programme : Canada, Norway, Switzerland, Israel.

The idea will be kept by the participant.

Application

– Read the Terms and Conditions and FAQs.

– Take a look at the template application form and answer the following questions.

– Submit your application using the online entry form by Friday 13 May 2016 at 12.00 noon Central European Time.

All applications will be assessed in line with the judging criteria. The 15 Finalists and overall winner will be selected by a panel of judges – names to be announced shortly.

To apply for the Prize you will need to register first via Nesta’s Challenge Prize Centre website by clicking here. Once you create your account, you’ll be able to log in, select the Smart Ageing Prize, and complete your application. You can save your application at any time and return to submit it at a later stage.

Visit the official page of the price by clicking here.

– See more at: http://www.aal-europe.eu/aal-smart-ageing-prize/#sthash.J3oBi40s.dpuf

Some hints and tips mentioned during the Q&A webinar

Example for products: Tablet based devices, home kids (e.g. Apple home kids), B close – which helps carers look after old people . Idea is to improve people’s ability to get around and facilitate their lives.

Examples of innovations, products on the market that came through: a bionic hand (is not what the challenge is looking in this instance) or an energy generator. It is interesting because even if it already exists it is an innovation in terms of making it more affordable, easy to use or more productive than what currently exists on the market. Look at what exists in the intellect connected world for supporting older people and is considered too expensive or not easy to use or maybe you find a way on how to be addressed in a more significant way. So it doesn’t require someone to actually invent something completely new.

Looking for brilliant ideas that really can stand out and make a difference and that will benefit those who want to accelarate by getting into an extensive network,  getting a lot of potential profiles and support along the way.

The entry submission form is very straight forward. Use links, give examples, aswer all questions properly. There is a need to understand the thinking behind the good ideas, to see if these things may or may not work .

Looking forward to some break-through ideas to improve the lives of older people. It is a fantastic opportunity for investors, entrepreneurs, researchers, start up companies, experts!