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Assistive technology more broadly – growing up in a nursing home, combined with a love of systems and device design. I am fascinated with the impact on the individual of systems which fail them and how we co-design technologies, projects, and programmes to overcome inequality. As I learnt more about the world and disability, I realised the sad and substantial link between poverty and disability. Our partners in India understand this reality well and have great experience in designing and developing solutions which live up to Mahatma Gandhi’s Talisman. What difference do you hope it will make? The work with WHO is a little separate from the work in India currently, though we coordinate with the regional office as needed. In India, our main work is on the innovation ecosystem presently, and on proving the case for mobile as AT. One of your recent projects - Tacilia - recently won an Engineering award. Can you tell us more about it?
TeamMADE used the most recycled material in the world – steel – which is resistant to mold, insect infestation and is noncombustible. UCI students on TeamLUCID created a new lightweight concrete for their eco-friendly home. The main hope is to get more assistive technology to more people who need it, especially those who live in poverty, or at lower socio-economic levels across South-East Asia. Can you tell us about the GDI Hub’s relationship with India, and the WHO? I can see this being a very popular reference book in school libraries – some of the concepts might be most suited to secondary-aged readers but I think keen and curious older primary readers would still get a lot out of this book. Teachers might also want to share specific interviews with their classes in relation to STEM or careers: the interviews are full of positive messages about persevering, learning from mistakes and following your dreams. I am biased in the next opinion, but I believe a UK-India axis on assistive technology, and health and education technologies more broadly could become a powerhouse of innovation. This idea needs nurturing with funding mechanisms that allow for joint research projects, exchange programmes and targeted joint investment in infrastructure. What would you like to say to other academics at UCL thinking of collaborating with others in India? In a sustainable materials course taught by Mosallam, students experimented with over 100 mixtures of materials and used an insulated core to create a resilient but lightweight concrete. Their walls have better thermal and sound insulation than normal ones. They also resist hurricanes and take over three hours to burn, which would save lives in the event of a wildfire.Tacilia started from the applied problem of how to enable children who are blind or have partial sight to be better able to engage with Science Technology Engineering Arts and Maths (STEAM) education. By investigating the problems faced in the classroom the need for a multiline, reconfigurable tactile interface was identified as needed to help children read books, explore shapes, design and learn to make sense of graphs, charts and other (normally) visual information. Dr Shini Somara is passionate about making science and technology accessible to all, through a variety of media platforms. She transforms cutting-edge science into heartwarming and captivating stories. Shini's recent work includes shows for the BBC, Channel 4, UKTV and PBS Digital. She has worked together with brands such as Williams Racing, Google, Dyson and National Grid, The Institute of Engineering and Technology and The Royal Academy of Engineering. TeamMADE was one of 14 teams competing in the O.C. Sustainability Decathlon. Many participants were California-based, but other teams included members from China and the United Kingdom.
The program does work,” says HIS-OC Case Manager Anthony Trejo. “The residents learn that structure is very important. They also know they have someone behind them who wants to see them succeed.” The formerly homeless youth reside for an average of four months and are required to get a job, save money, and learn life skills like paying bills, doing housework and building credit. They also attend classes on anger management and recovery. What I loved about these clever engineering solutions is these are not only affordable scalable buildings, but the design elements are also fantastic,” says UC Irvine Samueli School of Engineering Dean Magnus Egerstedt. “There’s real potential to take these concepts and commercialize them to help solve homelessness in a sustainable way at scale.” This book is accessible, inspiring and inclusive, with both men and women engineers featured. If readers have imaginations, curiosity and a drive to solve problems, perhaps a branch of engineering is for them. Perfect for secondary schools. This program has helped me get me off the streets of Riverside. I got my ID and EBT [electronic benefits transfer] card. I’m going to get a job,” says 19-year-old Kaia Barker. “It’s really helping me get my stuff together instead of staying on the streets and thinking drugs are the answer when they’re really not.”
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Tacilia recently won Innovation of the Year 2023 at the Engineering Talent Awards. What can UCL learn from your time working in India? What can the UK learn? Manuel Sumberac is a Croatian based illustrator and animator. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb where he was drawn towards the fascinating world of illustration. His work has been published and recognized in numerous book illustrations and book covers, such as Pinocchio, Snow White, The Night Before Christmas and Steampunk Frankenstein, amongst many others. Manuel creates his illustrations using digital techniques combined with traditional media.
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