MIT startup wins prestigious Tech Museum Award for global illiteracy-fighting projector designed in SolidWorks
Design that Matters wins for contribution to humanity in education category
CONCORD , Mass. , Sept. 26, 2005 ? A non-profit MIT startup organization that used SolidWorks® software to design a microfilm projector to combat global illiteracy has won the Tech Museum Award recognizing those who use technology to benefit humanity. Design that Matters (DtM) worked with Mali-based volunteer organization World Education to develop the Kinkajou projector, which helps adults and children in impoverished regions around the world have a chance at better lives by learning how to read everything from medicine labels to voting ballots.
The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, Calif., launched the Tech Museum Awards in 2001 to recognize people, companies, or organizations that develop or use technology in creative ways to address global challenges. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) assists with the outreach of the awards, identifying nominees within its network of 166 countries. Presented by Applied Materials Inc., and judged by experts from around the world, the awards honor innovators in five categories, including education, equality, environment, economic development, and health. This year, the panel chose the Kinkajou as one of five Tech Laureates (award winners) in the education category to win the Microsoft Education Award. The panel chose DtM, which builds technologies for the rural poor in developing countries, for its work on the Kinkajou. The projector is transforming how illiterate adults in nighttime classes in rural Mali learn to read and write.
?SolidWorks software's intuitive interface and powerful design tools helped us quickly develop a projector that would be easy to manufacture and use, and a snap to fix locally, which is crucial in rural communities,? said Design that Matters Co-Founder Neil Cantor. ?We're mid-way through a two-year pilot test of the Kinkajou with our partner World Education in 45 very remote and poor communities in Sub-Saharan Mali, where the illiteracy rates are staggering.?
Before the Kinkajou, the learning opportunities for an adult attending a two-hour nighttime class were limited to when the teacher illuminated their workbooks or invited them to the blackboard. Now, students learn throughout the class as Kinkajou projects images large enough for everyone to read using inexpensive light emitting diodes (LEDs) and an optics system inspired by ViewMaster toys.
Design that Matters is now working to better define the global market opportunity for mass producing and distributing the Kinkajou to impoverished regions where illiteracy is rampant. As one of 25 Tech Laureates chosen among the five categories this year, it is eligible for a grand prize of $50,000 to be awarded in November.
?We are proud of Design that Matters and its ambitious goals and achievements thus far,? said SolidWorks Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Rainer Gawlick. ?The Kinkajou is a striking example of how technology can help solve some of the most fundamental global problems. It is our responsibility as corporate citizens to help ensure projects like the Kinkajou become a real benefit to those in need, wherever they are.?
About Design that Matters
Design that Matters is building a worldwide system that enables social enterprise, academia, and industry to jointly innovate for social change. Together, these groups create products and services to meet the needs of underserved communities, in such areas as clean water, renewable energy, and health care. Recent clients have included Malian educators seeking better teaching tools for rural classrooms and Bangladeshi doctors seeking improved medical devices for cholera treatment. Launched in 2000 at the MIT Media Lab, DtM incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit in June 2003 with a mission to help innovative social enterprises scale their capacity to make a difference in the lives of millions. For more information, visit www.designthatmatters.org.
About The Tech Museum of Innovation
Located in the heart of downtown San Jose , Calif. , The Tech Museum of Innovation,
a non-profit organization, engages people of all ages and backgrounds in exploring
and experiencing the technologies affecting their lives and aims to inspire
the young to become innovators in the technologies of the future. For more information,
visit www.thetech.org or call (408) 294-TECH.
About SolidWorks Powered by the Dassault Systèmes 3DExperience Platform, SolidWorks 3D applications help millions of engineers and designers succeed through innovation. SolidWorks delivers an intuitive experience in product design, simulation, publishing, data management, and environmental impact assessment. For the latest news, information, or an online demonstration, visit our Web site (www.3ds.com/solidworks) or call 1-800-693-9000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-781-810-5011). About Dassault Systèmes Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, provides business and people with virtual universes to imagine sustainable innovations. Its world-leading solutions transform the way products are designed, produced, and supported. Dassault Systèmes’ collaborative solutions foster social innovation, expanding possibilities for the virtual world to improve the real world. The group brings value to over 150,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 140 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com. CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, SIMULIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, GEOVIA, EXALEAD, NETVIBES, 3DSWYM and 3DVIA are registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries in the US and/or other countries. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation in the US and other countries. 3DVIA is a registered trademark and 3DVIA Composer is a trademark of Dassault Systèmes in the US and other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. © 2012 Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.
