The James Dyson Award, the international student design and engineering competition run by the James Dyson Foundation, is opened for entries, calling for novel inventions that tackle a pressing real-world problem.
Young inventors’ ideas have the potential for global impact
Open to all engineering and design students and recent graduates, the Award seeks ambitious designs that address a global issue, from cancer diagnosis to natural disasters. With global recognition offered to an International Winner and a Sustainability Winner, past winners include an off-road ambulance trailer to rescue the wounded from conflict zones, head movement-based mouse for enabling hands-free control of computer designed for people with upper-limb disabilities.
Established in 2005, the competition has now supported over 400 young inventors with more than £1million in prize money, and more than two-thirds of past global winners have pursued the commercialisation of their ideas. The International Winner and Global Sustainability Winner will scoop INR 30 Lakhs to support their next steps, while INR 5 Lakhs is offered to each National Winner in the 30 markets where the Award is run.
Sir James Dyson, Founder and Chief Engineer, said: “The world needs more doers – problem-solvers, not grandstanders, who are ready to take on the problems of our time. Every year the James Dyson Award gives young people a platform for their medical and environmental inventions, and much more besides. It’s their ‘wrong thinking’ that leads to breakthroughs, whether it’s the development of a new sustainable material, or the application of clever engineering principles to help improve people’s lives. I look forward to seeing what new inventions this year’s Award brings.”
What makes a good entry?
The best inventions solve a real-world problem that impacts our planet. They provide clear and intelligent solutions. The successful past winner, Pravin Kumar, a Chennai-based engineer, for his unique innovation Mouseware – a movement-based technology designed for people with upper limb disabilities. By using the power of head movements, this technology enables control of smart devices, allowing individuals to effortlessly interact with digital devices.
On winning the award, Pravin Kumar inventor of Mouseware, said, “Mouseware was born out of a desire to break down barriers for individuals with disabilities and empower them to become digitally independent. Winning the James Dyson Award is a tremendous honour, and it will significantly propel our mission forward. It not only validates our hard work but also provides us with a global platform to share Mouseware’s potential. With this recognition, we aspire to expand our reach and make Mouseware accessible to countless individuals worldwide.”
Mouseware is a movement-based technology designed for people with upper limb disabilities. By using the power of head movements, this technology enables control of smart devices, allowing individuals to effortlessly interact with digital devices.
*Prize money is subject to the exchange rate.
National winners and runners-up will be whittled down to a global Top 20 by a panel of expert Dyson engineers across different disciplines, and finally Sir James Dyson himself will pick the best.
The National Winners will be announced on September 11th, the global Top 20 shortlist on October 16th and Global Winners on November 13th.
Head to www.jamesdysonaward.org to find out more and apply.
