Top Five Finalists to Share $250,000 Prize for Applying Technology to Improve Quality of Life Around the World
SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND (September 22, 2005) — Today, AnthroTronix, Inc., a human factors engineering and research and development company, was named a 2005 Tech Museum Awards Laureate. The Tech Museum of Innovation, located in San Jose, California, announced 25 Laureates for the prestigious awards program, which celebrates those who leverage new and existing technologies to benefit humanity.
AnthroTronix has been named a Laureate for the Knight Ridder Equality Award.
“This is a tremendous honor for the dedicated team at AnthroTronix,” explained Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Corinna Lathan. “Our mission has been tirelessly focused on leveling the playing field for children with disabilities. Conventional therapeutic and educational tools are low tech and emphasize the specific disability instead of treating the child from the perspective of his/her total environment. We’ve created a product line that treats the whole child by using technology to motivate and entertain a child while simultaneously addressing developmental goals. We are launching our first product line, Cosmo’s Learning Systems™ in November.”
AnthroTronix developed its innovative learning system and robotic tool that motivates children with disabilities to engage in therapeutic and educational activities. Approximately 13 percent of all school age children globally have a disability that requires assistance in one or more activities of daily living. Children with disabilities face access issues that can be the difference between an inclusive and exclusive educational experience. The AnthroTronix product line, featuring Cosmo’s Learning Systems™ and an interactive robot, CosmoBot™, introduces new technology that changes the future rehabilitation and educational landscape for children with disabilities.
On November 9, at a black tie Awards Gala, leaders from Silicon Valley, the United Nations and other program partners will join together to honor all 25 Laureates and five will share a $250,000 cash honorarium.
An esteemed panel of judges considered more than 300 applications from 64 countries. The 25 Tech Awards Laureates for 2005 come from Brazil, Canada, Cuba, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. Their work impacts people in 43 countries around the globe.
“The Tech Museum Awards were founded to shine a spotlight on the innovative work of those who dedicate their lives to using technology to help others,” said The Tech’s President Meredith Taylor. “By celebrating the accomplishments of our Laureates, we can encourage others to become social entrepreneurs who leverage technology to make the world safer, healthier, and more equitable.”
“The Tech Awards Laureates exhibit the same pioneering spirit that has inspired the world’s greatest inventions and innovations,” stated Jim Morgan, Chairman of presenting sponsor Applied Materials. “Their breakthrough technologies are helping to provide basic needs and infrastructure, and the ultimate promise of their work is its power to have a positive impact on individuals and society.”
“Santa Clara University’s Center for Science, Technology, and Society is honored to be associated with the Tech Awards,” said Geof Bowker, executive director of CSTS. “For the fifth year, an interdisciplinary team of academics and judges from SCU have chosen from hundreds of inspiring projects from around the world to find Laureates who can and will make a difference in many lives.”
For more information on the awards and Laureates, visit http://www.techawards.org.
About The Tech Museum Awards
The concept for The Tech Museum Awards and its five categories was inspired in part by The State of the Future report of The Millennium Project of the American Council for the United Nations University, which finds that award recognition is an effective way to accelerate scientific breakthroughs and technological applications to improve the human condition. The Tech Awards were inaugurated in 2001, and have since recognized 100 Laureates for their pioneering work to benefit society through the use and/or development of new technologies.
The Tech Museum Award Partners
The Tech Museum Awards represent a collaborative effort among educational institutions and business. Silicon Valley leaders supporting The Tech Awards include presenting sponsor Applied Materials, Inc. and Santa Clara University’s Center for Science, Technology, and Society. Category sponsors include Intel, Accenture, Microsoft, Agilent Technologies Foundation, and Knight Ridder.
About The Tech Museum of Innovation
Located in the heart of downtown San Jose, Silicon Valley, Calif., The Tech Museum of Innovation, a non-profit organization, engages people of all ages and backgrounds in exploring and experiencing the technologies affecting their lives and aims to inspire the young to become innovators in the technologies of the future. For more information, visit www.thetech.org or call (408) 294-TECH.