• The first prize went to the Muscle Guardians team, which developed a tool that adapts exercises to the user’s characteristics, allowing for more effective rehabilitation.
• The 3D Makers-Ripers group won the second prize for a series of accessible solutions: an adaptation for a shopping basket for people in wheelchairs, an accessible can opener for one-handed use, and an umbrella holder that facilitates its use in a wheelchair.
• For three days, participants from national and international entities worked in teams to tackle practical challenges related to the daily needs of people with disabilities.
• The hackathon is part of the Erasmus+ Design2Freedom project, coordinated by the Spanish Confederation of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities (COCEMFE) with the participation of the Talonis group from CITIC.

A Coruña, December 4, 2024.- The European competition organized at CITIC concluded this Wednesday with the awarding of prizes for the best technological solutions for the inclusion of people with disabilities. The first prize went to the Muscle Guardians team, which presented an innovative personalized application to prevent muscle atrophy, adapting exercises to the individual characteristics of the user and allowing for more effective rehabilitation.

The second prize was awarded to the 3D Makers-Ripers group for their series of accessible solutions, including an adaptation for a shopping basket designed for people in wheelchairs, which improves autonomy in daily shopping, as well as an accessible can opener for one-handed use and an umbrella holder to facilitate its use in a wheelchair.

The Center for Research in Information and Communication Technologies (CITIC) at the University of A Coruña hosted the European hackathon from December 2 to 4, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Organized by CITIC in collaboration with the Spanish Confederation of People with Physical and Organic Disabilities (COCEMFE), this event included the participation of international entities such as Vilniaus Kolegija (Lithuania), Creative District (Belgium), and Technicka Univerzita v Kosiciach (Slovakia).

For three days, participants worked in teams to tackle practical challenges related to the daily needs of people with disabilities. These challenges, identified by people with disabilities in collaboration with European partners and collaborating entities, include the creation of tools and devices that promote independence and inclusion, such as adaptations for wheelchair users, a multifunctional can opener that can be operated with one arm, and technological solutions that improve accessibility.

Improving Accessibility Through Technology

The hackathon hosted by CITIC this week is part of the Erasmus+ Design2Freedom project, coordinated by COCEMFE, which aims to promote accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities through the use of technologies. The CITIC research group participating in this project is committed to researching and developing accessible technological solutions. In previous project activities, such as training sessions held in Madrid, the TALIONIS Group from UDC shared its experience in areas such as 3D printing, communication software, and tools for creating accessible digital content.

The initiative is focused on the individual and the development of technological solutions that can have a positive impact on the daily lives of people with disabilities. Collaboration between universities, researchers, and international social entities contributes to creating a more accessible and equitable environment for everyone.

About CITIC

CITIC is a research center that promotes advancement and excellence in R&D&I applied to ICT, created in 2008 by the University of A Coruña. The center’s scientific activity is structured into four main research areas: Artificial Intelligence; Data Science and Engineering; High-Performance Computing; and Intelligent Services and Networks, with a transversal research area: Cybersecurity.

CITIC is accredited as an Excellent Center and a member of the CIGUS Network for the period 2024-2027. The accreditation, structuring, and improvement of CITIC are co-financed by the Xunta de Galicia and 60% by the European Union under the Galicia ERDF Operational Program 2021-2027, with the thematic objective of promoting “a smarter Europe: innovative economic transformation.”