Cost, fitting appointments, unreliable utilities and inaccessible information can all prevent people from using a product. These three innovations address different barriers by changing how hearing aids are fitted, how laundry is washed and how nonverbal cues are communicated.
Amano Labs’ USD 20 hearing aid uses mechanical acoustic amplification without electronics or batteries. It is custom-fitted from a photograph of the wearer’s ear, reducing the need to travel for an in-person fitting. The design addresses both the cost of the device and access to fitting services.
The Washing Machine Project developed a hand-cranked washing machine that operates without electricity or a connection to running water. Water is added manually, allowing the machine to be used where household utilities are unavailable or unreliable. It offers an alternative to washing clothes by hand in places where a conventional machine would be impractical.
HapWare’s ALEYE system converts facial expressions and gestures into vibration patterns delivered through a wristband. It gives blind, low-vision and DeafBlind users another way to receive nonverbal information during interactions. The design provides a tactile channel for cues usually communicated visually.
