• Khaoula Ben Ahmed, Ghofrane Ayari, Souleima Ben Temime, and Sirine Ayari came in third place for the ‘Young Inventors Prize’ of the European Inventor Award 2024 out of three finalists
• The European Patent Office (EPO) highlights the young Tunisian inventors for enhancing mobility and autonomy for wheelchair users
• Their groundbreaking wheelchair control system, MOOVOBRAIN, offers unprecedented autonomy to users with severe mobility limitations
MUNICH – The European Patent Office (EPO) awarded the Tunisian team comprising Khaoula Ben Ahmed, Ghofrane Ayari, Souleima Ben Temime, and Sirine Ayari third place in the Young Inventors Prize at the European Inventor Award 2024. The team received a prize of 5,000 EUR for their pioneering work on a smart wheelchair control system that significantly improves mobility for the disabled. The team from Tunisia was one of three finalists, with Dutch scientist Rochelle Niemeijer taking first place and winning 20,000 EUR and Ukrainian inventor Valentyn Frechka securing second place and 10,000 EUR, according to the official website of EPO.
The team's invention, MOOVOBRAIN, empowers users with disabilities to control wheelchairs using brain signals and voice commands, enhancing their independence and mobility. This technology not only signifies a major leap in assistive devices but also reflects the team's commitment to inclusivity and innovation in medical technology.
"Winning a place in the Young Inventors Prize is a dream come true for all of us. We are deeply humbled and incredibly grateful for this honor. This recognition is not just an achievement for our team, but a testament to the power of collaboration, perseverance, and passion,” says the team. “It inspires us to keep pushing boundaries and to continue making a positive impact through innovation to change the life of people with disabilities around the world.”
A testament to young innovation
The smart control system developed by the team uses sensors and software that interpret the user's gestures, allowing for precise and intuitive wheelchair navigation. This technological advancement is particularly vital in environments where joystick or button controls may be cumbersome or inaccessible. Motivated to help by alarming World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, which estimate that approximately 80 million people globally may require wheelchairs, the team is working hard to address this growing need.
Khaoula Ben Ahmed encourages persistence and passion in pursuit of technological advancements, especially for women and girls in STEM; "For women and girls out there, just don't give up. You need to have an internal motivation to continue, so find it before you start. It helps when you have a reason for doing what you are doing. Once you have an internal motivation, nothing will stop you after that."
All the winners of the 2024 edition of the European Inventor Award were announced at a hybrid ceremony today in Malta. You can stream the ceremony online.
Next generation of the Young Inventors Prize in 2025 to take place in Iceland
During today's ceremony in Malta, the European Patent Office (EPO) was excited to announce a new concept for the award, starting in 2025. From next year onward, the award will be held biennially, with the upcoming edition focusing on young innovators below 30 years old whose inventions address one or more United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). An independent jury of former finalists will evaluate the entries, ensuring a fair and insightful selection process that honors the innovative spirit and achievements of the next generation of inventors.
The 2025 edition will be celebrated in Iceland, marking the first of these newly biennial-focused awards, and the nomination period for all technological fields remains open from until the end of September.
In alternating years, starting in 2026, the EPO will return to the original concept of the European Inventor Award, featuring its traditional categories of ‘Industry’, ‘Research’, ‘SMEs’, ‘Non-EPO countries’, ‘Lifetime Achievement’ and ‘Popular Prize’.