The Eye Stick helps blind people avoid dangerous obstacles and determine where they are by reading the surrounding environment. Through the lens on the bottom, the Eye Stick can recognize such elements as traffic lights, stairs and the subway. Through vibrations, it sends a signal to the user to communicate information about their surroundings.

Contact: Wonjune Song: dnjswns417@naver.com

Credit: Wonjune Song of Dankook University (South Korea)

The Emergency Handle Light is a subway handle that also functions as a flashlight for emergency situations. When there's a fire or a blackout in the subway, pull out the handle, which is conveniently located within reach, and activate the light to assess the situation and make your escape.

Contact: Dohyun Ryu: rednsky@gmail.com

Credit: Dohyun Ryu, Junghyun Joo, Kyungyoung Lee and Taehong Park of Hong-Ik university (South Korea)

The dream beam is a red-diode laser projection device that displays an image on any surface, indoors or out. When a game cartridge is inserted into the free-standing mobile device, the laser beam projects an image on a playing surface, and the user then commences playing a series of traditional games, such as hopscotch, or newly designed games.

Contact: Jun Hye Rim: rimi815@gmail.com

Credit: Jeon Hye Rim, Lee Jea Min and Luke Micono of Samsung Art & Design Institute (South Korea)

CUE is an ultra-portable blood pressure monitor for baby boomers. Place an index finger in the ring, and the ring cuff inflates and deflates automatically; the results are displayed on the LED panel and can be communicated to doctors. CUE is small enough to tuck in a pocket or hold in the palm of a hand. It enables users to easily check, save and track their blood pressure while on the go.

Contact: Katherine Bennett, IDSA: Kbid@mac.com

Credit: De Liu of Art Center College of Design

CTRL+Z is a post-disaster system consisting of a portable CT scanner for identifying damaged corpses. The integrated software scans the corpse from the skull structure and regenerates the data into a realistic montage of the face using 3D software. Identifying the most crucial facial features will shorten the identification process, giving a name instead of a number to the body.

Contact: Rhea Jeong: veryveryvera@gmail.com

Credit: Rhea Jeong, Junghyun Joo and Eunju Jun of Hong-Ik University (South Korea)

The Blind Air Conditioner is an air conditioner that also functions as a blind to prevent sunshine from heating up the room. It does not require electricity to operate since the upper surface of its wings contains solar panels. This new green concept maximizes both the use of energy and the use of space.

Contact: Joonhyun Kim: joon0083@naver.com

Credit: Joonhyun Kim and Minjoo Kwon of Konkuk University (South Korea)

Aquatio is a drinking fountain designed specifically for gyms and fitness centers. The bowl-shape fountain pivots up to four inches to reduce the need to bend over when taking a sip of water. Press the left side to release cold water and the right for room temperature water. The inset at the base of the fountain was designed for faster and easier replenishing of water bottles.

Contact: Byron Lee: leebc@purdue.edu

Credit: Byron Lee of Purdue University

Another Way is an innovative E-sphincter for end colostomy patients that helps them lead a normal life. It uses pressure detection to predict excretion time. A soft plastic balloon can temporally stop excrement and gas from expelling, freeing patients from always needing to wear an excretion bag. With the help of digital notifications, patients will have adequate notice before excretions occur–restoring their dignity.

Contact: Ching-Jung Lai: umesshusan@gmail.com

Credit: Ching-Jung Lai of Shu-Te University (Taiwan)

The impetus behind the REMstar Auto M Series CPAP system with C-Flex stems from traditional CPAP devices which featured ungainly device form factors, obscure interfaces and poor overall usability leading to incompliant patients and frustrated caregivers. Key features of the REMstar include unique button textures for low-light identification, large adjustable dial for humidity control and lighter weight for easy transport. C-Flex technology tracks and reacts to every breath throughout the night.

Nike's Imara Strive watches are designed by and for women. They are reliable and user-friendly and have a sleek, feminine-inspired shape that makes a style statement. The target consumer is the woman on the go with a multifaceted life, who values individuality, modernism and functionality. The watch easily fits into a variety of daily scenarios and makes a functional yet fashionable declaration about her values.

Contact: Mercedes Coats: mercedes.coats@smartdesignworldwide.com