A student from London South Bank University has been shortlisted in a nationwide award, Engineering For Access, to find the next greatest innovation in disability products.
The annual award, run by personal injury specialists Claims.co.uk and product innovation specialists Bang Creations, tasked undergraduate engineers from all disciplines across the country with creating a product designed to aid people living with a disability. Students were able to choose the disability they wanted to design for, with other entries tackling epilepsy and deafness. In return they get the chance of winning £5,000 towards the cost of getting their product made.
Kristen Tapping, 36, an undergraduate Product Design student at London South Bank University, entered the award with an already award-winning design that reimagines the wheelchair in a way that makes the wheel more hygienic.
Alongside five other shortlisted Kristen’s Moveo wheelchair design was picked as a viable frontrunner.
Kristen, who spent her earlier years in France before moving to the UK to further her studies, said that she has always had a keen interest in helping those in need who might not be in a position to help themselves.
When asked how she felt about being shortlisted in Engineering for Access, Kirsten replied:
“Very excited! Sometimes you get briefs asking to design superficial items that really don´t have much impact.
This competition is geared towards improving the lives of people with disabilities which requires lots of research, design thinking and engineering innovation. Being shortlisted for this competition means my concept at least came close to fulfilling those demands.”
The winner of Engineering for Access will be announced on the 1st April and will be judged on a number of criteria, with innovation and cost efficiency as just two. You can find more details about Kristen’s entry design at www.claims.co.uk/engineering-for-access/kristen-tapping
