Tag: Assistance

In dicey situations, fire-dousing robots or fire-fighting drones can save lives on both land and air. Now, thanks to a Portuguese startup and its remotely-operated life buoy, those in peril on the sea could expect help to come just as fast. With a turbine on each side, the U-shaped device has a top speed of 15 km/h and is...

One app offers disability assistance for those changing trains, while another helps those with Parkinson’s navigate the web. Now a startup from Berlin has created a platform which enables families to find caregivers for their loved ones. Carers are matched to a patient’s specific needs, and are subject to background checks - even when coming from abroad. Once chosen,...

Modern maps show the location of former land borders. But worldwide, as many as 10 million people are classified as stateless. Now, a female founder from Munich without official nationality is aiming to change all that with her non-profit-organisation. Having no personal identification or passport makes everything tricky, not just travel. People can be stateless for a variety of...

Voluntary services provided by company teams are increasing. Now, thanks to a London startup, Brits can get support for mental health challenges using a text-message service. Anyone experiencing anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts can send a one-word request for help. Usually within 5 minutes, trained volunteers offer a virtual shoulder. Sensitive questioning, reassuring answers, links to more information and...

There’s already a guide for detecting breast cancer early. In medical emergencies, being able to access information quickly can be the difference between life and death. When a student from Mannheim found a first-aid information leaflet in the depths of his wallet, he designed an app to help guide people through emergency situations. His list of 18 emergencies includes...

Sticking with resolutions can be tough. Like giving up smoking. A French startup, for example, is offering support. Their app is based on cognitive and behavioral therapies, and uses games and positive reinforcement to help individuals achieve their aims. Targets are set and monitored step by step, while users can track money and time saved or a visual representation...

Sometimes all you need is the right support. In the field of eSports, for example. Now, a startup from Missouri has developed a keyboard which gives children with intellectual or physical disabilities the means to operate a computer. The board has 11 keys, which, when used in combination, can create letters, or be used as a mouse. The device...

Gloves protect us from injury or the cold. The odd pair can even make sign language audible. Now, thanks to an innovative engineering team at MIT, there is a glove that can measure tactile dexterity. Equipped with microscopic gold filaments, the glove’s specially developed sensors, which use the ions from human sweat, can register even the smallest of changes....