Outstanding Achievements of Students in the Gerontech Incubation Lab-cum-Design Competition
Lingnan University Jockey Club Gerontechnology and Smart Ageing in Place Project Team organised the Gerontech Incubation Lab cum Design Competition in the first semester of the 2024-25 academic year. The competition aims to encourage students to utilise innovative thinking to design technological products that can enhance the quality of life for older adults. This competition attracted participation from undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students, who showcased their excellent creativity and designs to address the needs of an ageing society. Below are the winning entries of this competition:
Champion: Smart Glasses
Designer: Mr Tian Haobo, Graduate of Master of Social Sciences in Health and Social Services Management
The Smart Glasses, designed by LU graduate Mr. Tian Haobo, is the champion entry of this competition. This pair of smart glasses features four main components: bone conduction earphones, an eye support frame, GPS positioning, and a magnetic charging system. The design inspiration came from Haobo's daily video calls with his grandmother. He noticed that his grandmother had drooping eyelids but was reluctant to seek medical treatment. Therefore, he designed these glasses to help his grandmother alleviate the issue through a supportive structure.
Haobo expressed that winning the championship was a great encouragement for him and that he saw the significant interest of many Gerontech ambassadors in his product. He hopes to produce the Smart Glasses in the future and continuously improve the system. He is also very grateful for the valuable suggestions from the elderly, which will greatly assist in his subsequent production.
First Runner-up: Echo Link
Design Team: Anlink Team, Lingnan University
The first runner-up entry, "Echo Link" smart necklace, was designed by three students from LU's Master of Science in Health Analytics and Management Program (members include: Miss Tang Jianning, Miss Zhang Boyu, and Mr Luo Wenzhen). "Echo Link" utilises NFC chips and Air Tag technology. The initial design intent was to address the issue of elderly family members who often get lost when they go out. By providing location services, it alleviates the concerns of caregivers and family members. This design demonstrates the team's focus on the safety of the elderly when going out, providing an effective solution.
One of the Anlink Team members, Mr Luo Wenzhen, indicated that they hope to update the product design in the future by adding privacy protection mechanisms. During this competition, many Gerontech ambassadors provided excellent suggestions, prompting them to incorporate additional features into their design. They also look forward to participating in more diverse activities in the future.
This Gerontech Incubation Lab cum Design Competition by LU not only showcased the students' innovative capabilities but also encouraged them to consider the needs of older adults from multiple perspectives. It enabled them to apply their learned knowledge in practical designs, incorporating youthful creativity to enhance the development of the gerontech industry.