Autvinder Competition

The Coffeeboy by Bastiaan Jong and Ruben Plooster, working at 3D-Ambacht, is an innovation enabling visually impaired individuals to independently access coffee from office coffee machines. By placing a tactile mold over the touchscreen, blind and visually impaired individuals can select their drink, promoting autonomy and inclusivity in the workplace. Inspired by a request from the Province of Gelderland, the Coffeeboy is self-produced.

Boarding Pass by Romano Sandee, also known for the ‘out with autism (uitmetautisme.nl) ‘ invention, aims to create a low-stimulus check-in experience at hotels or vacation accommodations, improving comfort for individuals with autism. The pass includes all necessary check-in information and can be personalized with a photo and personal characteristics, minimizing verbal communication. After tests in various hotels, further development aims to enhance user-friendliness, possibly through a web form for last-minute adjustments.

The Light Alarm Clock, a project by Lucas Volwater, wakes you gently with a simulated sunrise and is easily readable without glasses. Displaying time uniquely with a linear 24-hour representation, it offers additional features like light effects and the game Pong. Designed to make life more comfortable for people with autism through softer awakenings and an experimental approach to time display.

Danique Happel has designed The Twintower, a tower representing various themes requiring significant energy in her life. With accompanying rotating discs indicating stress levels, the system provides her and her environment with a clear overview and tool to intervene or offer support in time. This project offers a personal solution, providing structure and enabling her environment to monitor her well-being and offer assistance when needed.

The Inclusive Journey app by Daniel Ruiter allows users to scan their surroundings for accessibility feedback, providing educational information and facilitating mutual learning. Its aim is to create visibility and offer a friendly way to understand the challenges faced by people with disabilities, while also providing a platform for like-minded individuals to meet and learn from each other.

Mindful Waters by Maarten “Anton” Hundscheid is a digital interactive aquarium simulation designed to enhance the lives of people with dementia by providing positive interaction and distraction. Offering a cost-effective and user-friendly alternative to traditional aquariums, it focuses on self-directed play to enable both physical and digital interaction without additional equipment. All components are developed entirely by the inventor.

Daniel Ruiter’s Smart Toilet Seat Pedal invention combines a pedal bin with a toilet seat, creating a toilet with a built-in pedal. Stepping on the pedal raises the seat, while stepping off lowers it. This concept can range from simple to high-tech, with features like smartwatch support for personalized functions such as music, lighting, and even toilet paper ordering. Additionally, it’s suggested that toilet roll holders could notify when they’re running low and even automatically place orders, further enhancing convenience.

Tauvic Ritter‘s Driver Coach project aims to improve road safety through personal coaching and a support ecosystem. It focuses on identifying causes of traffic accidents, implementing vehicle safety monitoring systems, and emphasizing the importance of a traffic safety ecosystem for sharing information among multiple parties. It promotes both preventive measures, such as driver awareness training, and reactive solutions, such as driver monitoring systems, to reduce risky behavior and prevent near-accidents.

Rineke Duijster has developed The Relapse Prevention Planner, a modular planning system to manage time and energy, designed to accommodate the demands of different activities. Originally born out of her own needs during an autistic burnout, the system uses laminated magnetic cards in different colors, flexibly adaptable for both weekly and six-week plans. This approach has given Rineke more insight into her time and activities, and she hopes to help others with this system.

An innovative approach by Mirjam Brasser to social skills training for autistic individuals and their environment, focusing on environmental adjustments and supportive understanding. Through individual communication profiles and practical tips, parents and caregivers are empowered to create a supportive environment, leading to improvements in confidence and social skills. This initiative promotes a positive approach to autism and offers practical tools for growth and development.

Aulism is a philosophical approach to understanding autism as a blend of autism and idealism, aiming to eliminate biases and assumptions. The autvinder, Annet Both, sees strong idealists in autists and believes people can learn from the pushback of ‘aulists’ against prevailing views.

“Uit met Autisme”, translated as “Out with Autism“, provides a website platform where people with autism can prepare for outings and determine if they fit within their weekly schedule using a color-coded system for sensory sensitivity. Romano Sandee developed this initiative to make relaxation more accessible for people with autism and help them avoid overstimulation. With a growing database of low-stimulus locations and a test panel for organizations, Out with Autism aims for a more autism-friendly leisure time for everyone.

The SW-APP, conceived by William van Kaathoven, offers an innovative solution for overconsumption through barter trade. Users can offer products via an app and match them with items from others in the same price category, supported by a point system for physical exchange. Local businesses can participate, advertise, and make offers, making the app a sustainable and social platform for communities.

Eva Rood has devised a handy solution for her challenges: a creative toolbelt, or pencil belt. This belt keeps all her pencils at hand while drawing outdoors, giving her more confidence and making it easier to pursue her hobby. It also sends a social signal to people in her environment and can lead to new hobby contacts.

Roland Angenent has developed the “Plug & Play construction technique“, enabling buildings to be quickly and cost-effectively adapted or moved, for example, due to climate change. This technology focuses on simple assembly systems and standardization of building elements, with potentially significant economic, social, and ecological benefits for the construction sector. The hot-swap & tool-free approach requires minimal technical knowledge and can transform traditional construction professions, making technical jobs possible without the barrier of lengthy training.

The Child Wish Workbook, developed by Mandy Verleijsdonk, provides women with a child wish, including autistic women, with a tool for self-expression and guidance during life changes. It is valuable for both parents. With Mandy’s expertise and user feedback, the workbook is evolving into a physical and digital support resource, with possibilities for further development into an app.

Maartje de Vries has developed an “Experience Autism” escape room, using the escape room formula to promote awareness and stimulate discussions about autism. With concrete examples and experiences, she offers participants the opportunity to experience autism and gain insight into stress and sensory overload, with the goal of fostering understanding and mutual learning. The workshop includes an introduction to autism, the escape room game where participants experience different perspectives, and a conclusion discussing learning moments and linking them to daily life.

Dorien Hein has developed the vision for the Aut-In-One app to support people with autism in everyday activities, from daily planning to medication management, aiming to make life less stressful and improve quality of life. The ambitious app offers a versatile approach, incorporating many useful functions in one app, including information provision, monitoring energy levels and stress, meal planning, and preventing sensory overload. The autvinder has also devised innovative features that are excellent additions, such as the “positive diary.”

Caspar Abelmann’s Ecommune is a system where 100-150 people receive free housing and services in exchange for collective maintenance, with a focus on environmental sustainability and connection to capitalist society. Eliminating the need for money promotes mental well-being, job security, and inclusivity, while encouraging stress-free living through coaching and technology. This initiative addresses modern challenges such as homelessness and offers a solution to societal problems, with collective action and understanding as key to realization.

Klaus Schiffner’s Mold Preventer is a device that detects mold formation behind large furniture. It visually alerts the resident to unfavorable conditions, such as high humidity, and advises actions such as opening windows or turning on the heating. With low energy consumption and the ability to monitor via an app, it provides an effective solution for preventing mold in poorly ventilated spaces.

According to mental health care (GGZ) data, more than 11,000 patients wait for mental assistance for over 4 months – a situation that calls for change. MentalAId offers on-demand mental support tailored to individual needs, combining a personal coach with AI. Developed by Twan Wildeboer, it provides rapid, personalized aid for those in need. The MentalAId prototype builds on his other ideas, with the vision of supporting everyone’s mental well-being with interactive technology.

The NAAN. methodology (2009-2024), derived from New Approach Anorexia Nonspecified, offers an innovative approach for young people with severe anorexia, PTSD, and underlying autism who struggle in regular care. Developed by Anjana Gort, who has experienced these challenges herself, this methodology provides a proven effective treatment and guidance, incorporating the use of assistance dogs. Successfully applied to hundreds of young people both domestically and internationally, the NAAN. methodology offers hope and perspective to those previously considered untreatable.

NeuroNav AI, created by Twan Wildeboer, is a tailor-made interactive toolset for autistic/neurodivergent individuals, designed to assist with life navigation strategies. The toolset combines Human-Centred Design with technology. After a successful pilot, NeuroNav is ready for the next user phase. By focusing on individual needs, NeuroNav AI improves daily activities and facilitates the learning of new skills, such as time management and priorities, resulting in practical solutions for an organized and enriching life.