New social good innovations help us all. When we come together to face global crises, our problems become a little more manageable.
Technology innovators play a crucial role in overcoming global issues and building roads towards action. Katie Dupere, reporter at Mashable, shares some of the most impressive social good innovations from this year.
Adaptoys
Adaptoys is a new initiative that adapts popular toys to allow people with physical disabilities to play with them. The company implements voice activation systems, motion sensors, and assistive technology so that users with paralysis can control the toys. The project was launched by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, agency 360i, and tech company AXIOS NYC. Adaptoys hopes to make classic toys more inclusive and encourage major toy manufacturers to consider disabilities when creating new products.
Biodegradable Six-Pack Rings
Plastic six-pack can holders have long been criticized as an environmental hazard. South Florida-based Saltwater Brewery partnered with ad agency We Believers to produce a biodegradable, edible version of the can holder made from wheat and barley left over from the brewing process. The product has already received mass media attention. The final release is projected for fall 2016.
NIFTY Cup
NIFTY Cup is a $1 innovation that can potentially save the lives of infants around the world. Infants in developing nations that are incapable of nursing are at high risk for malnutrition or even death. The NIFTY cup features a spout that makes it easy to drink for premature infants and those born with health defects. The cup was developed over the last five years in a collaboration between health organization PATH, the University of Washington, and Seattle Children’s Hospital. It was announced at the Women Deliver conference in Copenhagen and will soon be distributed throughout Africa.
