Recently, Novartis invited me to be a judge for their Innovation Prize, which will award $250,000 to the most promising new technology for people with MS. Over 100 innovators applied. Click here to see the ten finalists.

The winner, and the $50,000 runner-up, will be announced at the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, on March 13. Check back here to learn who won.

Because I’m both an engineer and a significantly disabled person, I not only enjoy working with new technology, but I benefit significantly from it. As part of my judging duties, I reviewed fifty applications. I was absolutely blown away.  I’m personally interested in trying at least twenty of those products! There should be no shame for innovators who didn’t make the finals.

Here is a description of one of the ten finalists:

Claudiu Leverenz

Germany

Munevo Drive

www.munevo.com

Munevo has developed a head control system for people who cannot conventionally control an electric wheelchair. In contrast to established, mostly mechanical controls, Munevo Drive is the first to detect head movements with the help of a Smartglass. The user can calibrate the system themselves, which allows Munevo Drive to be precisely tailored to different capabilities. The adapter developed by Munevo is a plug-and-play solution and can be connected to all current models of electric wheelchairs.

Click here to see the other nine finalists.