Below is the list of the 25 finalists for the GSK App-challenge, a competition open to anyone with a great app idea relating to fitness, medical and well being.
The winner will receive an app development roadmap package from ProductFitter that will take their idea to the next level, as well as a media and PR package from Digital Times.
The winner will be announced at The Appys awards ceremony, taking place on Thursday, November 20th in the Waterways Centre in Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock.
You can buy tickets to The Appys 2014 HERE. 150 tickets are on sale, so book early to avoid dissapointment.
Early birds are on sale now. There is a discount for group bookings.
Colm O’Regan is host. There will be a free bar and some tasty food.
Bring your dancing shoes. The after party will be in the Liquor Rooms.
The GSK App-Challenge finalists
Prospr – entry by Rob Cumiskey
Prospr says it is “changing the way coaches (nutritionists, dieticians and personal trainers) interact with their clients”. www.prosprhealth.com
For coaches the Prospr app is a tool they can use to communicate with their clients. For the clients, it is a coach in their pocket.
“In short, we provide an app for clients to communicate with their coach, a photo food diary to track what they’re eating and for coaches, it’s a back-end solution to keep their clients engaged, get feedback on their diets and reporting and analytics to add value to their relationship.
Prospr recently joined the NDRC Launchpad 10 programme.
Project Ventoux – idea entry by Ciarán Ó Conluain
Project Ventoux is a revolutionary approach to cycling training. The app gives a personalised training plan that is accessible to those who previously thought coaching was out of reach. We believe that by lowering the barrier to receiving proper coaching, we can help millions of people worldwide reach their cycling goals in a fun, creative and social way. In our target market there are over 40,000 people in Ireland and over 470,000 in the US. Cycling in a non-impact sport allowing most people (including over weight people) to safely improve their cardiovascular system. In order to promote the development of healthy habits and a lifetime of fitness for young people, we will offer the app free to minors.
Accident Aware – entry idea by Joseph Brennan
While walking/running/cycling or even driving, the Accident Aware app will monitor the user’s movement in case of an accident. If the user does have an accident the app will request feedback from the user, if the requested feedback is not received the app will then contact a preset number or emergency services with details of the accident and location.
Waiting Times – entry idea by Rory O’Connor
Waiting Times is an app that can let potential patients know the waiting times in accident and emergency rooms in hospitals around the world. Nurses in A&E can catergorise a patient’s health risk on a computer system within the hospital. With access to this system, the Waiting Times app could be made to let less serious patients discover how long it will take to be seen.
This aim of the Waiting Times app is to prevent unnecessary crowds gathering in accident and emergency rooms i.e. crowds of people who have minor injuries. The app will also allow patients find a nearby hospital with a lower waiting time. Other features would include GPS directions to the selected hospital and information on what a person’s personal health insurance will cover within this hospital.
One potential revenue stream for the app would be in-app ads for private health insurers.
Life logging for better health – Selfyfied – entry idea by Shane Drumm
By combining the ‘Internet of Things’ – a world of connected devices – with the movement towards the ‘Quantified Self’ – acquiring data on an individual’s personal eating habits, states, moods, performance etc. – it could create an ‘inner net’.
The ‘inner net’ could then be controlled by an individual control for their own personal health needs and well-being.
The app, called ‘Selfyfied’ gives the power back to the end user. They will have the data at their fingertips that normally only large multinationals have access to. This data will be displayed in a personalised dashboard in real time and they can share it with whom they see fit.
“Selfyfied is a low friction solution for life logging to give the end user overview of their digital identity.”
JustMoveMe – entry idea by Edel McDaid
JustMoveMe is an app aimed at the convenience exercise market. If all the benefits of physical activity could be sold as a pill it would be worth billions. Being physically active lowers your risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and all the conditions you don’t want.
What are an individual’s barriers to exercise? What is it that stops them being active? There is a gap in the market for what could be called “convenience exercise”. What if at any time of the day you could turn on an app that tells you what’s going on in your area in relation to exercise and activity? If you could set the radius and even specify the type of activity and with a few clicks reserve yourself a place in the local gym’s 6 pm Zumba or a spot on the Bootcamp happening in the local park. Similar to the fast food apps that offer you anything you would like in your area, JustMoveMe would tell you what activity you can do.
The main aim of the app is to allow people to find and sign up for exercise – making it as easy as it is for people to order fast food via their smartphones and tablets.
Health Translator – entry idea by Katarzyna Pranke
Today we are witnessing an increased movement of people between countries and our societies are becoming more and more culturally diverse. Migrants in the UK or the Republic of Ireland who do not speak English may have limited access to health-related information.
Let’s imagine that an Irish doctor is giving a Hungarian patient (who can’t yet speak English) a brochure with a QR code on it. The patient can then scan this code and thanks to an app on their phone which is set to their native language he/she is able to view the very same brochure (in PDF format), but in his/her native tongue.
The back end database of the app will have the most common brochures translated to the most common languages among ethnic minorities in that area.
Patients with other types of difficulties could also benefit from the system by accessing the brochure in other formats: let it be an audio file or a large-font PDF file.
Classy.ie – entry idea by Damien Brick
Classy.ie is a web application – http://www.classy.ie.
The app connects people seeking different classes, such as sports, languages, physical fitness, arts, yoga, etc. with the best in class providers.
With the help of Classy, users may search for relevant classes by indicating their location, class type, convenient hours and other parameters. They will be able to view different class providers’ profiles, browse their information, see photos, watch videos, read reviews and find the best class provider for them.
Around 30% of population above 16 years, who are engaged in some kind of sporting activity but are not subscribed in any sports club, which means they are our potential users of sports class providers.
Auto scroll – entry idea by Garry Elliot
My idea is an app called ‘Auto Scroll’. It’s an app that the user can download and connect it to apps they already have such as Facebook, Twitter, and their e-mail. The user would set the speed at which the Auto Scroll would scroll down through the desired apps.
This app relates to fitness because the user could be reading through Twitter or the morning papers while working out on the treadmill and it also relates to health and well being because this app would be very useful for people who have limited use of there hands such as arthritis or any kind of physical disability that would make scrolling by hand a painful or very awkward.
The app will also be very useful for the average person sitting at the breakfast table in the morning scrolling down through all their news feeds, Facebook posts, Tweets etc.
Second Life – entry idea by Aidan Haughey
Second Life is a mobile and smart-phone app to help people realise the instant and short-term impact of their health and lifestyle changes.
We often hear of how quitting smoking or changing our diet can add years on to our life. However, extending our lives by 5-10 years seems distant to younger people and is seen as the last few years of an elderly person. What if they could see what that extension to life meant in seconds for that hour? If we take a woman who quits smoking in her 30s, she can extend her life by up-to 10 years, therefore we can add approx 9 seconds to her watch. They can now see an instant and meaningful change to their lives. The watch/clock would show how much they have extended their lives by showing the old time and the new time. Once the person has entered all their information and the changes they plan to make or have made, they can see how this is extending their lives immediately. Based on the information they share, the person would be encouraged to make further changes. Movement could also be tracked via the device and the new Apple smart-watch can read relatively accurate pulse readings. Second Life could really change the way we view lifestyle changes and make those changes more relevant and meaningful.
Managing Epileptic Seizures – entry idea by Jill Morrissey
My idea offers a practical and preventative alternative to manage reoccurrences of epileptic seizures. I have done extensive research on the production of a non-invasive early warning device to prepare sufferers for an imminent attack. I believe this device could prevent injury from a sudden unexpected attack. It could also allow someone to move to a position of safety/take medication/seek assistance. I have received enthusiasm from business people and neurologists. I need to develop an app to encourage an engineer to produce a prototype (a detailed description is available upon request).
Screen Time Monitor – entry idea by Rona O’Neill
My idea for an app is to have an app that monitors how much time you spend actually looking at your screen. I’ve noticed in recent years while working at a computer all day that I go from looking at my desktop screen to looking at my smartphone screen and in general spending too much time on my smartphone. There is no gauge as to how many hours I spend looking at the smartphone during the day but I have noticed that my eyes get quite tired in the evening and using a screen all day at work and then in the evening cant be good. The app would monitor your eyes through the camera and alert users to too much consecutive viewing on their smartphone, perhaps encourage exercise, reading a book or some downtime with the phone. It could also serve as a monitor for opticians to gauge eyesight quality in a patient over a given time based on time spent looking at a screen along with their day job. Personally I have noticed degradation in my own eyesight and I attribute it to too much screen time, hence the idea for a monitor of actual usage. This would accurately monitor user usage and not just screen on time.
Check the Date – entry idea by Isobel Taylor
Aim: To ensure that out-of-date medicines/ cosmetics/ consumer healthcare products are not utilised past their expiry date.
Method: For medicines – scan the bar code/ enter the Lot number into the App and it will log the expiry date. The app will let you know when the medicines are due to expire in advance, i.e. a week, so the user can either restock or obtain further medication from the doctor (depending on what it is of course!).
For cosmetics – scan the code to log when you opened it, as most cosmetics should not be used after a certain time after opening due to bacterial growth. Also, with products like sun lotions – these should not be used if opened for 6 months.
Most people can’t remember when they opened a product so this would take the doubt away.
For consumer care. i.e. cough medicines, over the counter medicines etc. – the consumer will know when to restock.
Benefits: Overall, this app will take the doubt out of the shelf life of a product. This has several benefits – it will ensure that products are not consumed past the expiry date and so has positive safety implications whilst enabling the customer to make the decision to purchase new products, but equally may save on waste if a product can still be used. The app will also help to ensure that forgotten medication can be dealt with appropriately and not left forgotten about in drawers for years.
Breastfeeding Support – entry idea by Ciara Donovan
Idea: A breastfeeding/buddy support app. With access to a comprehensive list of FAQs and a database of information regarding breastfeeding problems.
Social Problem Solve: The app will allow for interaction with local breastfeeding mums (location-based app), offering support to those in the community. Increasing the maintenance of the 50% of mums that choose to breastfeed on discharge from hospital.
Technology Used: App, website, location-based technology. Registration will be required to link in with local mums. The app will feature motivation tools like an indication of where you are with your breastfeeding relationship and what you have done for your child by breastfeeding as long as you have.
Healthier Kids – entry idea by Derry O’Donnell
To combat the growing problem of child obesity an app to promote healthy eating and fitness activities with children. Children earn credits/rewards by eating healthy food, fruit and vegetables and through taking part in physical activities. Parents/guardians have a pin code or password to award the credits/rewards to ensure an accurate account is kept. When the child reaches a certain number of credits they are then rewarded with treats as agreed by the parents/guardians such as a trip somewhere, a new toy, clothes etc.
MiFridge – entry idea by Aoron Shortt
MiFridge is food management app that allows the user(s) to manage the intake, purchasing and use-by date of food in their fridges. The app will have a persistent database that in real time alerts the user if food in his/her fridge decays past it use-by date.
Millions of tons of food are wasted yearly in Ireland; with Mifridge you can accurately generate shopping lists based on what you actually need, goodies and sweets included. Using replacement QR codes to enter individual items or NFC at the till of your shopping market to add an item(s) to the app makes the process seamless. Further action will allow the user to view recipes based on what he/she has. When used with multiple users, e.g. if someone eats all the bread, other users are updated to avoid the ‘surprise’.
Planet Munchie – entry idea by Mick Rochford
Planet Munchie is an app to help combat the worldwide epidemic of childhood obesity.
The app encourages, records and rewards children for becoming healthier using the motion sensors in a mobile device in a fun an interactive planet called ‘munchie’.
In its simplest terms it is similar to Nintento WII only the child holds the phone rather than the controls.
The game also rewards activity outside the game subject to parent validation. Playing each of the games on Planet Munchie earns virtual currency so that the children can spend on pets, furniture or clothes for their adopted avatar.
The app also encourages children to try new foods rewarding a virtual bronze medal for tasting a food, silver for eating a whole one and gold for incorporating the food into their weekly diets. The parents can then share their child’s achievements and track their food intake.
Cross wording – entry idea by Anthony Ryan
Cross wording for the Touch screen Era Dynamic Cross wording© a mental sport that contributes to mental and physical well being through learning, memory improvement, participating/connecting with others online, and assembling annually at world championships, national, and regional competitions.
Two categories of Simple and Cryptic, at four levels.
The World Crossword Society©, a sporting federation, will contribute to Alzheimer’s research.
Wild Swimming – entry idea by Josie Ryan
An app that tracks, and rates, all the best places to swim wild in Europe. Wild swimming is a growing, healthy pass-time, particularly for those over 55. This app will allow the wild swimming ‘community’ to pin point wild swimming spots of interest and also rate them for safety, difficulty, accessibility etc.
The Wild Swimming app could also give details of accommodation spots and places to eat nearby by integrating with another app’s API and Google Maps.
Wild Swimming is a sport/pass-time that involves finding great outdoor places to swim and snorkel. These places include sea shorelines, lakes, rivers, bogs and quarries.
Hurling in Action – entry idea by Ruan O’Donaghue
What are the top skills that make a great hurler? This app would have a ‘menu’ of hurling skills, described and detailed in video by GAA Hurling All-Stars.
The app could be sponsored by the GAA or other sporting bodies and then supported by county teams and clubs with a view to promoting the spread and uptake of hurling among young people across Ireland.
Find my Healthy Options – entry idea by Gillian Hamilton
People arriving in a new town, especially if they are travelling with kids, simply won’t know where they can find nutritious, healthy places to eat. Healthy restaurants, child friendly restaurants and health food stores can update their data onto the backend database – the app then uses geo-location to point people to interesting & healthy stores and restaurants, wherever they may be.
If there isn’t a healthy place to eat nearby, the app serves up quick and easy meal solutions people can buy in the local supermarket.
Motivate Me – entry idea by Micheal Slattery
A motivational app that tracks your steps whilst jogging. User sets target of speed and distance. If you begin to slow down it will pulse (vibrate) more intensely until your speed is picked back up and you’re on point with your target speed. Helps engage user and keep fit.
Hello Brain – entry idea by Sabina Brennan
Hello Brain delivers you scientifically designed exercises called ‘Brain Buffs’ to help your brain stay fit and healthy. We can shape our brains by the actions we choose to do and even by the way we think and approach life. The free Hello Brain app provides daily suggestions and support during your first 100 days.
Features include:
• Daily ‘Brain Buff’ exercises based on cutting edge neuroscience research.
• * Monitor your progress through the ‘Brainbow’ visualisation. -*
• Varied ‘Brain Buff’ categories: Physical, Social, Mental, Attitude and Lifestyle. – Structured ‘achievements’ to help encourage balanced regular exercise. *
• Review your ‘Timeline’ to see how you are keeping your brain healthy. -*
• Get access to the latest expertise and research around brain health.
Benefits include:
• Physical exercise helps to grow connections in the brain
• Just 10 minutes of social interaction can increase your brain performance
• Increased complex mental activity late in life has been linked to lower dementia risk
• Stress can impact negatively on brain health. Laughter relieves stress.
A basic web version of this app is here www.hellobrain.eu/apponline.
See in Colour – entry idea by Fiach Reid
My idea is to develop an app that allows colour blind people see in colours that they are more able to distinguish between. Put simply, this app will allow a colour blind person see the world in false colour, but nonetheless, colours that are more easily distinguishable, with higher contrast and less similarity. By using the camera on the mobile device, and modifying the image data based on a set of default false colour palettes suitable for most conditions, or custom palettes based on specific preferences of the user, this app will allow colour blind people read text that may have been otherwise obscured, and perform other tasks that would otherwise be impossible.
Bond – entry idea by Owen Grogan
The idea for the app I have is called ‘Bond’. I see it as companion app to help tackle the tentative yet all too prevalent issue of childhood obesity. The app would track the motion of the user and let them know of calorific expenditure. On the child version of the app, this expenditure can be used to purchase items for their customisable in-app avatar. The parent version doesn’t necessarily feature an avatar but the expenditure could be used to unlock healthy recipes etc. The app would also provide a daily tip or more if requested as a notification. It could also provide information on the benefits of healthy living and a non sedentary lifestyle without being overwhelming or sanctimonious. Given the delicate nature of childhood obesity extreme care would have to then not to shame the child or have them feel insecure about themselves. That said, the app will gently encourage and inform the child when it notices that they have read the apps details on healthy choices, exercise etc. Intrinsic to this idea is that the parent will be informed of the child’s performance. This would guide the parent in how to handle the matter further if necessary. Bond would be best with both users in tandem.
