AsianScientist (May 20, 2013) – An all-girl group from Temasek Polytechnic in Singapore has won the Gold Award at the Institution of Engineering Singapore (IES) Design Awards 2013, an annual engineering competition where all five polytechnics in Singapore battle their engineering skills and creativity against each other.
The winners were announced at the annual IES Design Awards on Saturday (May 18), which coincided with the IES’ 47th Annual General Meeting.
Launched in 2001 by IES, the IES Design Awards aim to inculcate the importance of community service to the younger generation and to encourage them to think more for the handicapped and the less-fortunate. Working with a budget of $2,000, the teams’ submissions not only had to display potential to solve real-life problems that the elderly or handicapped face, but also to showcase the ability to optimize the use of material and equipment. Previous winning submissions that have been commercialized include the Auto Hill Assist (AHA) Wheelchair.
The Gold Award was won by Zheng Hui Yun Vera, Cecelia Tay Sin Yee and Rebecca Tan Li Kiat from Temasek Polytechnic for their “H-frame” invention, a walking device that is light to carry around yet sturdy enough to provide adequate support. Branded as DARLin (Dual Assistive & Rehabilitative Linkages), it is the first bipod walking frame to be designed and can also be easily converted into a walking stick.
Having spent six months producing the prototype, the trio is still tweaking and improving the product in the hope of bringing it to the market.
Winners of the Silver Award were Samuel Kew Zhi En, Mohit Pundir, Amit Chong Bang and Ang Yew Chien, also from Temasek Polytechnic, for “WeCare Smart Application.” Winners of the Bronze Award were Afiq Abdullah, Aminur Rashid, Lee Huan Wei from Ngee Ann Polytechnic for their “Tennis Elbowciser” invention.
“Engineers have the special ability to make lives better for people. As the national society of engineers, IES wants to inculcate this simple yet compelling truth to young engineering students, by providing a platform for them to display their engineering ingenuity and passion for the community,” said Professor S. K. Chou, IES President. “We hope that through the IES Design Awards, these students will be intrigued with the marvels of engineering and inspired to make a difference to the lives of the elderly and the less fortunate.”
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Source: Institution of Engineering, Singapore; Photo: APEX Network Design Pte Ltd Facebook.
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