A robot for the elderly

Having seen the elderly struggle with everyday tasks in care homes, Serbian-born Maja Rudinac found this so difficult to get out of her mind that she decided to set up Robot Care Systems. Her robots help the elderly to function independently for longer and to have a better quality of life. This won her the LiveWIRE Award 2015

According to the panel of judges, Maja Rudinac is responding in an innovative way to a major development in society: the ageing population. She won EUR 20,000 to invest in her business, and says: “What motivates me is to expand from a start-up into a larger business. With this prize I’ll hopefully be able to offer even more older people a more enjoyable and independent way of life.”

The robot looks like a walking aid, but the applications are wide. “With our robot people can stand up, walk about, and avoid all the obstacles around the house. But the robot can also help with taking medication or picking things up.”

The LiveWIRE Award – a programme run by Shell and the Chamber of Commerce – is presented each year to an entrepreneur under the age of 35 who is able to convince the panel of judges of his or her innovative potential and entrepreneurship. The well-attended final took place in style last Thursday at B. Amsterdam, a building of the future when it comes to cooperative working and dynamics. 

All of the nominated candidates put their ideas on show in a market place, including Job Jansweijer, whose business KonneKt won the LiveWIRE prize awarded by the public. Job developed an exceptional game. Using colourful foam rubber shapes, magnets and suction pads, young patients who have to be treated in isolation can still play together using the window between them.