Computer science and technology students busily attached wires to a sensor that would prevent a wheelchair from crashing into a wall, across the room, a group of students were building a robotic feeding arm, others were fixing a hydraulic system to gently elevate a chair and another team coded software to turn sign language to speech.
This was the region’s first hackathon where more than 80 college students and professionals from various sectors came together to create devices to help people with disabilities work and communicate at the Al Noor Training Centre this week.
“We are hoping we can help people with muscular dystrophy, those whose muscles are too weak to move, also the elderly and people with arthritis with our adult stroller so they don’t need to ask anyone for help,” said Shilpa Sujith a student from the American University of Sharjah, part of the Blue Cohort team of students and professionals from the beverage industry and special needs sector.
Participants were shortlisted from hundreds of applications from around the country and divided into 16 teams for the project.
The ground work began more than a month ago when teams were linked with a person with special needs and their family to gain an understanding of the unique challenge each individual faced. Workshops on robotics and assistive technology were organised by Microsoft for participants to grasp advances in assistive technology from basic solutions such as cutlery with firm hand grips to eye gaze technology that can shift a cursor on the screen.
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To adapt a chair that would gently push a woman with muscular dystrophy into a standing position, the Blue Cohort team scoured garage sales in Al Quoz and shops in Dragon Mart to build a hydraulic system. With the press of a button, a motor gradually pushes up the seat while the user holds onto a detachable rod for support.
“The lady can walk but she asks colleagues for help to stand because the muscles in her arms and hips are too weak to support her into a standing position. This is just the first prototype but if it can be customised and help people do tasks on their own, it would be great,” said Mohit Saraswat, an employee with a consumer goods firm.
Engineering students from BITS Pilani, Dubai welded together a gadget that can be attached to a wheelchair to help a teenager with cerebral palsy move within his home. The teenager currently requires the help of his parents or a caregiver.
The Mediators team produced a device that once fixed to a wheelchair will automatically move it to the washroom or hall area by pushing a button. This is linked to sensors controlled by a smartphone application they designed.
“We needed a kit that could transport someone safely between rooms so a wheelchair does not crash into a wall but stays a safe distance away. It needed to be simple so we have just two big buttons on the iPad to sync with the device,” said Rewant Verma, an engineering student.
“This could be used in hospitals or retirement homes to help people safely navigate indoors without assistance.”
Some teams used facial recognition with robotics to develop a feeding arm, others built sensory devices that through texture and touch can measure temperature and heart rate, and the desire for food and water of people who cannot communicate. Another group created a specially-designed cushion with flexible straps and winch to easily move a person from a wheelchair to the bed.
The creations impressed experts such as Tanya Rudd, philanthropies lead at Microsoft Gulf.
“The teams quickly realized that the real issue they were addressing wasn’t just one of speech, text or interaction; the issue they were solving was that of inclusion and independence,” she said.
“The hackathon showed us that we have amazing talent around that is willing to offer their support. It also shows us that if you think beyond the obvious you will get some completely new solutions that you were not aware were even possible before. This hackathon created an environment of innovation, and showed us that more disruption will come from future innovations which will, hopefully, not only bring great solutions to the market, but at a cost that is easily affordable.”
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Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS & THE ECONOMY
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Terminator: Dark Fate
Director: Tim Miller
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Mackenzie Davis
Rating: 3/5
Mercedes V250 Avantgarde specs
Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo
Gearbox: 7-speed automatic
Power: 211hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0 l/100 km
Price: Dh235,000
WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Get inspired
Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).
Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.
Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?).
