The European Patent Office (EPO) awarded third place in the Young Inventors Award, part of the European Inventor Award 2024, to the Tunisian quartet of Khaoula Ben Ahmed, Ghofrane Ayari, Salima Ben Tamim, and Cyrine Ayari.

The European Patent Office (EPO) awarded the group a €5,000 prize for their innovative work in creating the intelligent wheelchair control system, significantly enhancing the mobility of individuals with special needs.

The Dutch scientist Rochelle Nijmeger won the top prize of €20,000, while the Ukrainian inventor Valentin Freszka took second place and earned €10,000. The Tunisian team was one of three finalists.

Using brain signals and voice commands, the Tunisian team allows disabled users to operate wheelchairs, improving their independence and range of motion.

This technology represents a significant advancement in the field of assistive devices and demonstrates the team’s commitment to inclusivity and innovation in medical technology.

The team’s intelligent control system makes use of sensors and informational software to interpret user signals, enabling wheelchair mobility that is precise and intuitive. These technological advancements are particularly important when chair controls, like buttons or steering wheels, are inaccessible or difficult to use.

Inspired by aid, the team is tackling the increasing demand for this kind of technology in the wake of the World Health Organization’s alert that almost 80 million people worldwide might require wheelchairs in the future.

The European Patent Office established the European Inventor Award in 2006 to honor individuals and groups that have tackled some of the biggest problems of our day. It is one of the most valuable innovation prizes in Europe.

It announced that the award, now biennial, will be given to young innovators under 30 starting in 2025. These innovators’ inventions must contribute to one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals.