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The IES Design Award, sponsored by the Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES), aims to raise the community awareness of polytechnic students by encouraging them to design gadgets that make life better for the elderly or handicapped.
The projects are the "Beach Wheelchair" and the "Barrier-free Table & Chair", both original projects conceptualised and designed by the students.
BRONZE Beach Wheelchair |
BRONZE Barrier-free Table & Chair | ||||||||||||||||
This unique wheelchair can be used on soft surfaces, including soft beach sand and snow, without sinking into the ground, because the specially designed wheels spread the load over a wider area. This gives wheelchair users newfound freedom, allowing them to visit places they would not have been able to. |
The seats of this unique dinning-cum-study bench can be quickly and neatly folded under the table to provide access for wheelchairs. It is also a great feature in space-constrained restaurants, fast-food outlets and eateries, where extra walking space is needed. The table's height can also be adjusted from 60cm to 80 cm to meet users’ requirements and different types of wheelchairs. |
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The Bronze medal came from the "Fail-Safe Human Fall Detector", while 2 other projects won Merit Awards -- the "MRT Automated Ramp", and the "Non-Invasive Trans-Epidermal Drug Pump".
BRONZE Fail-Safe Human Fall Detector |
MERIT MRT Automated Ramp |
MERIT Non-Invasive Trans-epidermal Drug Pump | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This device contains sensors which can detect if an elderly person suffers a fall, and automatically send an SMS message to the next-of-kin's handphone. The device can also detect if the victim is conscious or unconscious, and state it specifically in the SMS message. |
The "MRT Automatic Ramp" is an aluminium strip attached to the train. When the MRT door opens, the ramp will automatically be deployed to bridge the gap between the train and the station platform. And when the door closes, the ramp automatically retracts, and slides under the train, ready to be deployed at the next station. |
This device comprises a programmable homogeniser for homogenising lipid-based drugs, and an ultrasound hand-held applicator for subsequently delivering the homogenised drugs through trans-dermal routes (eg. the skin) to the target site, rather than by other invasive methods such as injections. |
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Two other projects from Temasek Engineering School also won Consolation Awards.
The students received their prizes at a presentation ceremony held on 5 May 2006.
SILVER Shopping Cart for Wheelchair Users |
CONSOLATION Auto Tilter |
CONSOLATION Actimeter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The cart comprises an adjustable PVC frame on which a shopping basket is mounted. The frame is then attached to the front of a standard wheelchair, so that a handicapped person can do his shopping independently while wheeling himself around the supermarket. For convenience, the lightweight frame can be detached and folded when not in use. |
The Auto Tilter is essentially a pillow with a left and right compartment that can be inflated alternately by a motorised air-pump. A bed ridden patient who lies on the pillow is automatically tilted from left to right, hence preventing the formation of bed sores caused by heat and prolonged contact. An air vent also releases fresh air onto the patient's back. |
Worn like a wrist-watch, the Actimeter is able to record the sleeping and waking patterns of a patient, as well as his arm movements, body temperature, and surrounding light ambience. This allows doctors to monitor, study and treat a patient's sleep disorders. |
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The project, entitled “EMG/EEG-Based Transcutaneous Functional Electrical Stimulation for Grasp Neuroprosthesis”, makes use of electrical signals generated by the body to stimulate other muscles and bring about movement — a process known as neuroprosthesis. This allows a patient with spinal cord injuries to exercise and “rehabilitate” his paralysed hand.
This new system is able to complement existing rehabilitation methods, and is said to speed up recovery and help patients regain control of their hands more quickly.
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A revolutionary invention by 3 Temasek Engineering students called the "Drip Monitor" snatched the Gold medal at the 3rd Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES) Design Award 2004. The "Handphone Craddle" took the Bronze, while the "Alert Cap" earned a Merit Award. In line with the competition's objectives, these devices help to make life better for the elderly or handicapped.
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GOLD Drip Monitor |
BRONZE Handphone Cradle |
MERIT Alert Cap | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
If a patient's drip packet becomes empty and is not changed on time, the air in the tube will seep into the patient's body, causing possible death. The Drip Monitor will ensure that this does not happen. When the packet is almost empty, the spring recoils, closing the contact in the reed switch. This activates an alarm which is linked to the patient's bedside "Call" button, hence alerting nurses at the ward station. |
The Handphone Cradle amplifies the ringing of a handphone to alert users who are at home. It emits flashing lights and a loud alarm that can be heard throughout the house. The lights and alarm continue sounding every minute even after the caller has hung up. The device can also be hooked up to a remote gadget that the owner can carry around the house. No more excuses for not answering up your handphone or calling back immediately! |
A water sensor attached to a child's swimming cap -- that's what it is! When water is detected by the sensor for 5 consecutive seconds, the transmitter will be activated to send a signal to the receiver which is carried by the child's parent. This will alert the parent that his/her child may be drowning. It might just save your child's life! |
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A new generation "MRT Information Board" project won a Gold and $300 cash in the Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES)
Design Award 2003 held on 14 Feb 2003. The "Anti-Drowning Device" received a Silver award ($200),
while the "Innovative Window" clinched a Bronze ($100). The IES Design Award, now in its second year, aims to raise the community awareness of polytechnic students by encouraging them to design gadgets that make life better for the elderly or handicapped.
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GOLD MRT Information Board |
SILVER Anti-Drowning Device |
BRONZE Innovative Window | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The MRT Information Board is a modified MRT route map that comes with LED lamps at each station on the board. The lamp blinks when the train approaches a particular station, hence alerting deaf passengers or those with hearing difficulty. The names of stations are also printed in 3 languages, as opposed to the only-English version currently in use on MRT trains and stations. |
The Anti-Drowning Device is a personal floatation device for swimmers. It will automatically inflate when the user reaches a dangerous depth. The air for inflation is provided by a compressed CO2 cylinder, which is activated by a pressure sensitive value. This device is suitable for the handicapped and elderly who may have little control over their movements. |
This is a remote controlled window with bi-folding window panes that fold and overlap so as to provide better ventilation than traditional sliding panes. It also comes with sensors that detect rain and close the window automatically. This window is useful for handicapped people and senior citizens, as it minimises the need for them to move around. |
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