Age Innovation Prize 2023

A radar, a spine pillow and a mobility sensor have been awarded the Age Innovation Prize 2023. All three prizewinners are pursuing the goal of sustainably improving the lives of older people. The Switzerland-wide competition was organised by the IAF Institute for Ageing Research at the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with Switzerland Innovation Park Ost and the auditing and consulting firm EY in Switzerland.

Winners of the Age Innovation Prize

«Pegasus Spine» | MovementSciences AG

Best product 2023

With increasing age, many people lose the ability to move sufficiently. This lack of movement leads to the spine not being rotated enough, which can lead to chronic illnesses. MovementSciences AG has developed the ‘Pegasus Spine’ to solve this problem, which is being awarded the Age Innovation Prize for the best product.

«MIMO Radar» | ESA Institute for Electronics, Sensors and Actuators

Best project idea 2023

Monitoring vital signs and detecting falls in the elderly is currently done primarily through the use of wearables, such as smartwatches. If the person is not wearing the device or the battery is dead, it can be dangerous. The highly developed ‘MIMO radar’ from the OST offers a solution to this problem and is being honoured with the Age Innovation Prize for the best project idea.

«HIPbeacon» | BIOS Medical AG

Best start-up 2023

Medical technology start-up BIOS Medical AG is currently developing the ‘HIPbeacon’ mobility sensor, for which it has won the Age Innovation Prize in the best start-up category. The HIPbeacon is designed to be the first implantable long-term mobility sensor to improve the aftercare of patients with hip fractures. A hip fracture is a devastating event that often has serious consequences, especially for older people.

Prize money, consultancy and workshops

The three winners of the Age Innovation Prize 2023 will each receive the following:

A 20-hour consultancy package from Switzerland Innovation Park Ost, worth CHF 3’000, to support them in acquiring key customers and development partners in the region.
IAF Institute for Ageing Research each a co-creation workshop with their target group, worth 7’500 francs. These workshops are intended in particular to serve the orientation of the innovation or the clarification of questions in cooperation with the target group.

MIMO Radar, the winner of the category best project idea, receives a prize money of 5’000 Swiss francs, sponsored by EY Switzerland, with the aim of supporting the realisation of the project idea.

In addition, the three projects will be given the opportunity to network and present themselves at AGE-INT events, for example at the Switzerland-wide AGE-INT Roadshow.