The Startup Weekend Competition, organised by the LU Jockey Club Gerontechnology and Smart Ageing Project (GTSA) and Techstars, with the support of the Lingnan Entrepreneurship Initiative (LEI), the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP), and Hong Kong Social Enterprise Challenge (HKSEC), took place October 8 to 10. The theme was"Gerontechnology for Better Living". Participants from various backgrounds worked together to develop innovative products and services, and to discover new ways to help older people. |
|
The event, which took place in hybrid mode, encouraged participants from different sectors, include local students, older people, and product designers, to form teams and conceive new technology products or services. Eight coaches and one gerontech ambassador were invited to meet the teams to share their experiences with the participants.
The Best Validation Award was given to the “Strong Kee Good Health” team, which designed an “AI Knee Revitalizer” to detect a user’s leg movement, and then use big data to analyse the data to make a useful product. Users can walk, and even take vigorous exercise, with the invention. |
Discussion before final pitching session |
Team “Artificial Intelligence for Life’s Wisdom” received the Best Execution and Design Award. Their “We Are Hear” app converts an older person’s voice and photos into words and video respectively using AI technology. This can help transfer the wisdom and memories of older people to younger generations.
Team “I-CART” received the Best Business Model Award. Their plan is to make a shopping cart that uses AI technology to help older people carry heavy belongings. |
Final pitching session |
Attendees found new inspiration in technology. Sylvia Kan Wai-sze, a student from the LingnanU Elder Academy, said she had been inspired by the new developments in gerontechnology and how they could help older people rejoin the job market. Kan praised the coaches and gerontech ambassadors, saying that she had increased her knowledge of how to set up a gerontech business after hearing their experiences. |
Closing speech by Prof Joshua Mok Ka-ho |