Media Design Graduate Wins Public Award at the Wearable IT/Fashion Tech Competition
Kevin Röhl, a graduate of the Media Design program at Mainz University of Applied Sciences, has been awarded the Public Award at the Wearable IT/Fashion Tech competition for his diabetes app, lumind. The prize, worth 10,000 euros, is awarded by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Technology, and Research for innovative products, concepts, and applications in the field of Wearable IT (wearable electronic devices).lumind is a digital support system for people with diabetes that reminds them to check their blood sugar regularly. In people with type 1 diabetes, the body no longer produces the vital hormone insulin, so they must manually inject themselves with insulin to keep their blood sugar levels within the target range. In addition, blood sugar levels must be measured 5–8 times a day using a drop of blood to manage the disease and prevent complications.
The most important component of lumind is a colored light that reminds, motivates, and informs people with diabetes and their close relatives. The light color reflects the most recent blood sugar reading: Red means the level is too low. Blue indicates that blood sugar is too high, and a green light signals that the target range has been maintained. If the light begins to pulse, it’s time to take another reading.
lumind is planned to be available both as a wearable device and as a table lamp. The wearable supports people with diabetes while they’re on the go, whereas the stationary lamp at home also involves family members—such as parents or partners—by displaying the current readings to them via the internet at all times, even when the person with diabetes and their family members are physically apart. lumind is designed to provide young people with diabetes, in particular, with a tool to help them learn to manage their condition independently and stay motivated. Family members should also be able to be involved so that they, too, can better understand the condition, offer support, and worry less.
The award ceremony took place on November 25 as part of the Connected Living ConnFerence in Berlin. Just a few days earlier, lumind had already been nominated for the Future Award, which is presented at the Future Convention in Frankfurt.
