CALL FOR ENTRIES: INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Earn a prize for a new technology or idea that will benefit the Wearable Robotics Industry. We are now accepting proposals for the annual Innovation Challenge! Applications are due no later than February 28, 2021.
The Wearable Robotics Association (WearRA) is inviting entries that represent the most innovative new ideas in wearable robotic technology for the Innovation Challenge as part of WearRAcon 21. The winner will receive international recognition and a cash prize to support development and commercialization of the technology.
The review committee will select as many as ten (10) finalists. All finalists will be invited to present their product concepts via video at WearRAcon 21 Virtual on April 28, 2021. The winning entry will be selected through live voting by conference participants and a panel of judges representing industry, government, academia, and corporate executives. The top projects will receive awards. The one considered to be the most innovative will be announced at the conference and will receive a cash prize to accelerate the new technology.
WearRAcon 20 Virtual Winning Entry: Soft Robotic AFO for Active Stroke Rehabilitation
Submitted by: Marielle Debeurre; Carly Thalman; Tiffany Hertzell; and Hyunglae Lee (Arizona State University)
Submission Details:
Submissions are due by February 28, 2021. The proposal must include information about intellectual property and the development outline with milestones for deliverables. Explain the potential impact on the wearable robotics community, as well as significance of this concept as an advancement for the industry.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must demonstrate an ability to move the proposed plan to completion, showing how the prize can accelerate any step along the path to market.
- Applicants may reside in any country. No specific background or experience is required.
- Finalists must register and attend WearRAcon 21 Virtual.
Instructions for the Submission:
- Submit your final proposal by Sunday, February 28, 2021 | 11:59 PM (EST). COMPLETE APPLICATION
Proposal Content (NTE 4 pages)
Paper Layout:
- Title of proposed project (maximum 50 characters)
- Leader (name, title, affiliation, address, telephone, email address)
- Key collaborators (names, titles, affiliations)
- Brief summary of project goals and plans/approaches (not to exceed 350 characters)
- Focus specifically on what your project would bring to the wearable robotics industry
- Brief description of what is unique about the project. If it is competitive to any existing product or service, please describe how your project compares to any competitor (500 characters)
- Detailed description of how you plan to accomplish the overall plan (750 characters)
- Estimated steps/milestones/timeline to reach customers
- Go/No Go decision points
- Brief description of intellectual property position and potential for commercialization: investment potential and likelihood of ongoing funding support to customers (500 characters)
- Anticipated total budget and outline of what a cash prize will allow you to accomplish
Proposal Submission:
- Must not exceed 4 pages, inclusive of all information listed above, minimum 10 point font
- Complete application and save final paper as a PDF attachment.
- A confirmation email will be sent upon receipt of your submission. If you have not received confirmation, please call: 602-632-0999.
Review:
Proposals will be scored based on the following criteria:
- Potential benefit and appeal to people within the wearable robotics community
- Likelihood of Development: Investment potential and consideration of ongoing funding support
- Intellectual Property Strategy and Status: Freedom to operate
- Timeframe and probability of success
- Overall Impression
Selected Proposals/Finalists: Finalists will be notified by March 31, 2021. As many as ten (10) finalists will be selected to present at WearRAcon 21 Virtual, April 27-29, 2021. Each presenter should submit a video no more than five (5) minutes long to present the concept, followed by five (5) minutes of live questioning. Each finalist will also receive an online exhibit space to display project materials. The event will feature live voting among audience members and a panel of judges representative of industry, government, academia, and corporate executives. The winning project considered to be the most innovative will be announced on April 28th during the conference.