Early-warning asthma prediction device secures top spot at SA Innovation Summit

The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Inventors Garage competition awarded PhD student Moses Kebalepile for his prototype, called the Asthma Grid, at the SA Innovation Summit.

Kebalepile walked away with R25 000, incubation support from Standard Bank and an iPad for his early-warning device that predict asthma attacks.

“I was surprised to win! There were so many good projects showcased at the TIA Inventors Garage; it just goes to show the incredible potential and talent that we as South Africans have. I think the work that we do locally is as good as what comes from the West, if not more inspired,” says Kebalepile.

Read more: Innovation Summit 2015: Pete Smith on using LEGO as a team building tool

SA Innovation Summit chairperson Dr Audrey Verhaeghe added:

The 8th SA Innovation Summit brought all the role players together to invest in brilliant ideas and inspire even more creative thinking. We want to turn all these brilliant ideas into new products for the market that ultimately create employment and elevate the country both socially and economically.

For more information on the Asthma Grid prototype, watch this video by Resilient Africa Network below:

Competing inventor Christo Rossouw came second for his RE-LIT — a rechargeable light design that uses a solar panel. Billy Hadlow was the second runner-up with the FAABulous Stove which burns combustible agricultural material and can charge a cellphone or power a light.

Adriaan Padt, designer of the Rocket Works won the Climate Innovation Centre prize of a R100 000 grant for his high-efficiency biomass fuel stove that reduces harmful emissions and fuel usage.

Santa Scheepers came second in the same category with the ZingCo Electrical Vehicle Project — a car battery drawer solution.

Image via Southwest Key Programs