Smart Seat

The need knower of this challenge has a neuromuscular condition, and due to her disability, she sits in her wheelchair 14–16 hours every day. Sitting in the same position for too long can lead to a list of dangerous health issues, which are magnified by people who have no sensation in their lower body.

Team Smart Seat developed a solution that helps people who sit in their wheel chair for a long time to manage their weight distribution. The team developed thin stickers with sensors that are held in place by a 3D printed frame on a wheelchair’s seat to map out the pressure points then send the data to to a smartphone app to prevent pain, pressure sores, and other health risks. The Smartphone app can also automatically alert the user when it's time to move. The Smart Seat solution is a Google.org innovation award winner.

Team members: Paul Herzlich (need knower), Hagit Alon, Oscar Segovia, Pierre Karashchuk, Shaun Giudici, Tomás Vega, Yakshu Madaan, Yonni Bank