TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers welcomes you to the
2024 TOM Global Innovation Challenge!
BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER!
February 12 - May 16, 2024
The TOM Global Innovation Challenge (GIC) is a competition to design, engineer, and create affordable technology that will help a person with a disability live a more independent, fulfilling life. All GIC solutions are developed to address a real challenge faced by a person with a disability or their family.
Your mission is to create an open-source, affordable solution that will best solve their challenge.
Congratulations to the 2023 Global Innovation Challenge Winners
Grand Prize Winners
Bounce - Independent play for non-mobile children
A frame which allows older non-mobile children to play independently and take part in an enjoyable, highly rewarding, physical activity.
Tools for Getting Dressed and Undressed
A set of pipe frames and 3D-printed joints that allows a user with CP to dress and undress independently and with ease.
Independent Feeding Device - Manual syringe pump for feeding tubes
A manual syringe pump with a specialized handle that allows Jameson to independently activate a feeding tube to feed himself.
ORGAN - Strap for recreational and competitive Handcycle
A custom fit strap connecting the palm of the athlete to the handlebar pedals of a handcycle.
Grand Prize Winner - Sports
Special Recognition Award
Digitus - Typing Prosthesis
A bracelet with an adaptable connection that can securely and efficiently allow the user to type and use his mouse in the computer.
Project ILU - Adaptiver stylus
A customized modular learning system that focuses on improving his non-verbal communication through an iPad.
HappyWalk - Adaptive Walker
Low-cost, adjustable pediatric walker made of wood and 3D-printed plastic parts.
SPECIAL FOR 2023, THE TOM GLOBAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE WILL INCLUDE DEDICATED PRIZES FOR SPORTS-RELATED PROJECTS.
*Scroll down for more details
Bank Hapoalim Community Award:
Jona - Wheelchair Seat Belt for Riding Toddlers
A belt that allows a wheelchair user to strap a toddler on their lap.
Category Winners
Best Inclusive Design
Handle It- Specialty Kitchenware with Adaptive grip
A set of serving dishes with customized, comfortable, and easy to hold handles.
Best Accessible Design
WMDT - Washing Machine Dial Turner
A socket on the end of a handle. The socket at the end of a handle that fits over the dial of a washing machine and can be easily turned with the help of the handle.
Best Documentation Page Turner - assistive reading device
A book holder equipped with a mechanism that can lift and turn a page. It is activated with eye detection using a USB webcam connected to a laptop.
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Your GIC Project
Many people with disabilities and their families face challenges in almost every aspect of daily lives in areas such as personal care, mobility, the household, art, music, sports, and more. Your GIC project must solve one (or more) of these challenges.
You will need to assemble your team, find a person with a disability, family member or caregiver (we call them “Need Knowers”), investigate their challenge, and develop a solution that best answers their needs.
In addition, you must document your entire development process and submit the Concept, Working Model, and Prototype of your solution using TOM’s Project Editor. The final prototypes will be evaluated and scored by the judges.
Assemble your team
Find a challenge
Create your solution
Submit for judging
*About Sports-related Projects
For this year’s TOM Global Innovation Challenge we decided to give special prizes for solutions related to sports and athletic activity. Teams who develop sports-related solutions can choose to focus on two main areas:
Recreational
Solutions that will help make
recreational and leisure
sports more accessible
for people with disabilities
Paralympic
Assistive devices that will help a
specific athlete or team qualify for-
and compete in- the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
Dec
22
Feb
12
Mar
11
Apr
8
May
1
May
15
Milestone #1:
Concept
Milestone #2:
Working Model
Live Launch Event
Registration opens
Submit final project: Prototype
Winners Announced!
The GIC timeline follows the TOM stages of product development. Documenting and submitting the Concept and Working Model according to the timeline will give you the best chance of creating a quality solution and will set you up for success.
Your final project (Prototype and pitch video) must be submitted by May 1 to be eligible for a prize.
Timeline
Prizes
We will be giving $3,000 for each Grand Prize winner out of a total $18,000
Teams will also be competing for prizes in these categories:
Best
inclusive design
Best
Sports-related Solutions
Best
documentation
Best
accessible design
*Additional prizes may be announced at a later time
Past Winners
See these winning solutions from past TOM Global Innovation Challenges
2022 Abraham Accords Open Innovation Challenge
FLipPad - Assistive Electronic Touchpad
A low-cost, electronic touchpad which allows a person with limited hand mobility to control electronic devices.
Geek - Prosthesis for Digital Screens
A light, digital-office prosthesis that allows arm amputees to use touch screens, trackpads, and smartphones.
Mech-Canopy -
Wheelchair Rain Project
An adaptive 3D-printed clamping mechanism that securely holds an umbrella and attaches to a wheelchair
2021 TOM Global Innovation Challenge
Drawing Dreams - Arm Support Device
A low-cost support mechanism that allows children with Cerebral palsy to eat, draw, and play independently
One-2-Go - Portable Adaptive Toilet Seat
A supportive portable seat which allows people with Cerebral Palsy to use the bathroom independently anywhere.
Talker Mount - Talker Folding Mechanism
An electronic mechanism that allows a talker to be folded under a wheelchair table for safer mobility
Mentors
Dr. Assaf Krebs
Director of Methodology Development,
TOM Global
Geffen Dotan
TOM R&D Team,
TOM Global
Einat Carmeli
Physical therapist.
Director of Milbat-Sheba
Dorit Neeman
Physiotherapist - rehabilitation and sports
Loewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital
Dana Yichye Shwachman
Product Design Lead,
TOM Global
Hannah Landau
TOM R&D Team,
TOM Global
Dr. Osnat Fliess Douer
Director of Science, Technology, and Innovation Israel Paralympic Committee
Aviad Kelner
R&D Team Lead,
TOM Global
Alexander Geht
Industrial Designer, Additive-Manufacturing.
Manager TOM Pittsburgh
Yuval Levitan
Director of Physical Therapy, Motor Disorders Unit
Sheba Medical Center
Judges
Tamara Morgan
Community Partnerships Coordinator, Adaptive Design Association
Pascale Bercovitch
Paralympics athlete, TV personality and international motivational speaker and corporate adviser
Jaume Sanchez
Engineer, CEO of 3dthinks and Founder of TOM Barcelona. Winner, 2021 TOM Global Innovation Challenge
Dana Gur-Gelbard
Industrial Designer, Customer Experience & Project Manager at Matrix Experience. Winner, 2021 & 2022 TOM Global Innovation Challenges
Bryce Johnson
Principal Inclusive Designer,
Microsoft Inc.
Laura Marciano
CEO, Eli Innovation and Co-Founder,
TOM France
Nisreen Shahin
Entrepreneur, community leader,
TOM Palestine
Noam Platt
Healthcare architect and founder of Make Good INC. Winner, 2021 TOM Global Innovation Challenge
Prof. Katherine Raymond
Associate chair and senior professor of practice in the Biomedical Engineering Department at Tulane University
Shaikha Dwa Al Khalifa
PhD Candidate, Portsmouth University. Former lecturer, Royal University of Women. Former captain of the Bahrain Women’s National Football team
Lamia Housni
Innovation & Creativity Enthusiast I Entrepreneurship Catalyst
Robert Zacharias
Assistant Teaching Professor, IDeATe Center, manager of the IDeATe Physical Computing Lab, Carnegie Mellon University
David Dakovich
Maker and Product Development Expert. TOM Serbia Country Manager
Sawsan Masarwa
Designer, Educator, Social Entrepreneur in Israeli-Arab communities
About TOM
Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) is a global venture inspired by a bold vision to help provide anyone anywhere with access to affordable solutions for their neglected needs. TOM inspires and supports a global network of communities of volunteer makers, product designers, engineers, and care professionals who engage in designing, creating, and disseminating these solutions.
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