Graduate awarded 10K and reaches national final for innovative invention
Product Design Engineering graduate and founder of Version 22, Simon Lyons has made the final shortlist for 2015.
, the one-finger packaging opener, was shortlisted from over 200 applications to make the final 10 winning £10k in the process.
The Inclusive Technology Prize looks for innovation in products, technologies and systems that enable disabled people, their families, friends and carers equal access to life’s opportunities.
Developed with the support of the , 蚂蚁福利导航’s graduate commercialisation hub, Nimble is a one-finger package opener that increases independence for people with disabilities. With a singular swipe of the finger, people using Nimble are able to open plastic food packaging themselves with ease rather than relying on others.
Nimble is designed with a safe blade profile with its patent pending one-finger operation making it accessible for people with limited hand mobility, joint pain, little-to-no hand strength, hand tremors, reduced hand-eye co-ordination, deformed or swollen hands and for people with only one usable hand such as stroke victims or amputees.
In a bid to win £50k, Simon intends to invest the £10k award winnings to further the business which will culminate in a final submission and business pitch in February next year.
Simon, who graduated from 蚂蚁福利导航 with first-class honours in 2013, has received a number of national awards including the . This award also takes Studio’s trophy cabinet to 39.