Kinoo A Video Chat Startup Wins AARP s Pitch Competition
Kinoo, A Video Chat Startup Wins AARP’s Pitch Competition
Product: Kinoo is an augmented video chat platform that allows grandparents and grandchildren to play games together, collaborate on projects, and interact through their iPads and iPhones. Android will be supported in 2022. Founded by Jim Marggraff, creator of the LeapPad Learning System, Kinoo applies many of the same techniques to make learning interactive and fun. Grandparents and grandchildren interact on Kinoo using their fingers. Starting in September, they will also be able to use the Kinoo Connector wand. "The Kinoo Connector can turn into a whisk to stir batter while making cookies with Grandma or become a saw to build a birdhouse with Grandpa,” Marggraff says. Why it was created: Marggraff and his wife noted that it can be challenging for grandparents to connect with their grandchildren using technology, such as video chats. How it might change aging: “Isolation and loneliness are detrimental to one's health and longevity,” Marggraff says. “We help families flourish through the virtual bonds they build." Availability and cost: Kinoo will be available this fall, though no price has been set yet. The product can be preordered starting in August. of Headquarters:
Product: Voice Activated Living enables older adults to communicate with family members and friends using their voice instead of a smartphone or tablet. An Amazon Echo Show and its virtual assistant Alexa are used to exchange video messages, audio messages and photos with loved ones. Families and friends can use their smartphones or tablets. Why it was created: When CEO Jeff Wasson's dad broke his hip and arm and was staying at a skilled nursing facility, he was unable to use his smartphone and couldn't access the family's group chat. "He was missing out on the conversation,” Wasson says. Older family members who don't use smartphones are often excluded from the family's group conversations. “Our network is for the benefit of this one person.” How it might change aging: “We hope that enabling older adults to stay connected and engaged through the power of voice will lead to increased happiness and joy,” Wasson says. “Our hope is that we can play a part in keeping people healthy mentally. That improves the quality of life and satisfaction as we age." Availability and cost: The service, which became available in May, costs $9.99 a month and includes an unlimited number of family and friends. The primary user must have Amazon Echo Show, which costs about $250, but other users can communicate through their smartphones or tablets. of Headquarters: Dallas Product: KneeStim is a device that uses neuromuscular electrical stimulation and artificial intelligence to help people recover from knee surgery or knee pain from osteoarthritis. Electrical pulses are delivered to nerves, causing muscles to contract and increasing strength and range of motion. Similar devices are used in physical therapy sessions, but KneeStim can be worn while you're participating in your daily activities. The device senses your motion and determines the best way to stimulate your muscles. This is not only convenient, it may help speed recovery. Why it was created: Articulate Labs cofounder Herbie Kirn came up with the idea for KneeStim after losing his right leg in a motorcycle accident soon after he turned 50. He used a neuromuscular electrical stimulation unit while in physical therapy to strengthen his quadriceps muscles, but he thought it would be more efficient if the stimulation could be done during his everyday activities. How it might change aging: “Mobility is not something to be taken for granted,” says Josh Rabinowitz, cofounder and chief executive of Articulate Labs. Giving people more mobility and freedom as they age can help improve their quality of life. Availability and cost: KneeStim is not available yet, but Articulate Labs hopes to receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Its price has not been set yet. of Headquarters: Los Angeles Product: Camino is a next-generation walker that helps people navigate rough and uneven surfaces and uses artificial intelligence to monitor a person's gait and stability. It has an automatic braking feature and folds easily to carry-on-bag size. With a touch of a button, it narrows to “skinny mode” for tight spaces. Why it was created: “My inspiration for creating a better walker is my father,” says Duncan Orrell-Jones, cofounder and chief executive officer. “He has been living with Parkinson's for 20-plus years, during which time it's been shocking to witness how inadequate walkers and rollators are. They are not easy to fold and transport, inconvenient to use in tight or crowded spaces, nerve-racking to use downhill, and difficult to push uphill over rough surfaces.” He asked walker users, family members and physical therapists for a wish list of features that would make the device easier to use and live with. How it might change aging: Camino's special features give people the confidence and support they need to be active, which plays a key role in their overall health, Orrell-Jones says. A better walker can help people remain independent and stay connected to family and friends. Availability and cost: The walker will be available in the first half of 2022. Its price has not been set yet. of Headquarters: San Luis Obispo, California Product: NexStride is a device designed to help people with walk better. This neurological disorder can cause people to have trouble stepping forward, a problem known as freezing of gait. This small device attaches to any cane, walker or walking pole, and creates visual or auditory cues that help people move forward. NexStride projects a green laser line onto the floor, giving users a goal to walk toward and step over. A metronome provides a steady rhythm that helps with walking and turning. People can use one of the cues or both. Why it was created: The cofounder and CEO of De Oro Devices, Sidney Collin, was a biomedical engineering student at California Polytechnic State University when she met Jack Brill, a local veteran who had Parkinson's disease and struggled with freezing of gait. "He knew that these visual and auditory cues worked well for him, because he had used them with his physical therapist, but he didn't have an effective way to use them at home,” Collin says. “I made the first NexStride prototype for Jack.” He brought her to a local Parkinson's disease support group, and Collin discovered that many more people could benefit from the device. How it might change aging: “With NexStride, we want to help as many people as possible get up and walk,” Collin says. “Not only is exercise crucial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but it is the only proven way to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. With a small, noninvasive device, we can promote independence and allow people to age gracefully at home longer.” The device may also be useful for people who have multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Availability and cost: NexStride, which costs $499, became available in April 2020. Insurance doesn't cover the device now, but the Los Angeles-based will cover 75 to 100 percent of the cost of NexStride for people in need of financial assistance. Veterans can receive full coverage from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Collin says. of Headquarters: Milwaukee Product: This software platform uses artificial intelligence to help connect people within organizations. Companies, chambers of commerce, social clubs, churches and networking organizations can have members take LikeMinded's assessment, which uses a proprietary matching algorithm based on neuroscience. The connections are made through email, and some membership directors host events that focus on creating matches. Why it was created: “I became interested in connecting people inside communities due to the alarming rate of social isolation and loneliness of people of all ages,” says founder Jeremy Fojut, who has been helping companies engage with their customers at in-person events for the past 13 years. “The showed me that we can't rely on events and serendipity to connect people.” How it might change aging: “People are more isolated and lonelier than ever before,” Fojut says. “Numerous studies have shown the importance and benefits of friendship on social, emotional and physical well-being. There is extensive research showing that friendship is the key to human happiness. Creating more profound, more meaningful relationships can be a good boost for aging hearts and help the body's autoimmune system resist disease." Availability and cost: LikeMinded, which costs $99, became available in June. of Headquarters: New York City Product: This digital platform connects family caregivers with local resources to help their older relatives stay in their homes or find housing. Geriatric social workers can provide assessments, but they can be lengthy. So geriatric social worker Melissa Louie created a free digital tool that helps people find community-based services and housing options that are based on their individual needs and preferences. It's like Match.com for seniors, Louie says. The CareFinder questionnaire uses an algorithm to identify resources that address the clinical, social and financial needs of older adults. The Senior Housing questionnaire helps people find living options based on 10 categories and 148 individual preferences. Why it was created: When Louie was the primary caregiver for her grandmother, she recalls, she was “extremely exhausted and stressed because I was ill-prepared and had difficulty accessing appropriate care.” She realized that many people didn't know about the resources available in their communities. "Services are often delivered by many different providers without coordination,” Louie says. “As a result, many older adults aren't getting their needs met, and caregivers are struggling.” How it might change aging: “SeniorHabitat's mission is to improve the quality of life for older adults,” Louie says. The company provides people with resources and offers care options based on their individual needs. Availability and cost: The service, which is free, is now available only in New York and New Jersey, but the company plans to expand to other states. Kimberly Lankford is a contributing writer who covers personal finance and Medicare. She previously wrote for Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, and her articles have also appeared in U.S. News & World Report, The Washington Post and the Boston Globe. She received the personal finance Best in Business award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.
Startup That Virtually Connects Grandparents Grandkids Wins AARP Pitch Competition
Kinoo has created a video chat platform that strengthens family bonds through play
AARP Despite the growing number of ways families can connect virtually, it’s not always easy for grandparents and grandchildren to bond. Enter Kinoo, a Mountain View, California-based company that has created a video chat platform that uses artificial intelligence and augmented reality to connect grandparents and grandchildren. They can play games together, collaborate on projects and interact through their tablets and smartphones. “Before COVID, this could have been more difficult. But now ,” says Kinoo founder Jim Marggraff, who is also the creator of the popular LeapPad Learning System. “This video system is easy to use.” The platform includes two characters, Kodii and Kidoo, that spring to life during video chats between family members and make communication more fun. This is called technology-supported intergenerational connection. Kinoo was the winner of the Better Aging Through Technology pitch competition, sponsored by and the Innovation Collective, which helps launch innovative businesses. During the competition, which was July 1, seven start-up companies explained how their products can help improve people’s quality of life as they age. “For a long time, we’ve added years to life but not life to years,” says Nick Smoot, founder and chief executive of the Innovation Collective. “Recently, society has produced tools and technology that enable us to create products that make aging a better experience.”A wide range of innovative products
The finalists created a wide range of products. Some were inspired by their own experiences with caregiving and loss of mobility. The innovations included a high-tech walker, a device that helps rehabilitate knees, and a digital platform that connects caregivers with local resources and senior housing. During the Shark Tank-like competition, judges with expertise in start-ups, venture capital and aging asked the founders questions about their products, competition, development plans and growth prospects.People s Choice winner focuses on voice technology
After the presentations, the audience gave the People’s Choice award to a start-up called Voice Activated Living, which enables older adults to communicate with family members and friends using their voice instead of a smartphone or tablet. The company uses devices to exchange video and audio messages, photos and other content with loved ones. Family members and friends can chat through their smartphones or tablets. CEO Jeff Wasson was inspired to create the product after his dad broke his hip and arm and was unable to use his smartphone. Wasson’s dad couldn’t participate in the family’s group chat. Join today and save 25% off the standard annual rate. Get instant access to discounts, programs, services, and the information you need to benefit every area of your life. “He was missing out on the conversation,” Wasson says. “We hope that enabling older adults to stay connected and engaged through the power of voice will lead to increased happiness and joy.”The next competition
In the fall, Kinoo will have the opportunity to participate in the AARP Innovation Labs’ Grand Pitch Finale. “AARP Innovation Labs is focused on discovering the best and brightest start-ups tackling society’s most pressing issues as we age,” says Sheila Collins of AARP Innovation Labs. Marggraff will be invited to speak at the Innovation Collective’s Think Big Festival in January 2022. The event will be in Brooksville, Florida, where the Innovation Collective helps establish start-up companies focused on aging and longevity. The July competition was open to start-ups that have less than $500,000 in annual revenue and received less than $10 million in investments. Here are the companies, the inspiration for their creations, and how they hope to transform the way people age. of Headquarters:Product: Kinoo is an augmented video chat platform that allows grandparents and grandchildren to play games together, collaborate on projects, and interact through their iPads and iPhones. Android will be supported in 2022. Founded by Jim Marggraff, creator of the LeapPad Learning System, Kinoo applies many of the same techniques to make learning interactive and fun. Grandparents and grandchildren interact on Kinoo using their fingers. Starting in September, they will also be able to use the Kinoo Connector wand. "The Kinoo Connector can turn into a whisk to stir batter while making cookies with Grandma or become a saw to build a birdhouse with Grandpa,” Marggraff says. Why it was created: Marggraff and his wife noted that it can be challenging for grandparents to connect with their grandchildren using technology, such as video chats. How it might change aging: “Isolation and loneliness are detrimental to one's health and longevity,” Marggraff says. “We help families flourish through the virtual bonds they build." Availability and cost: Kinoo will be available this fall, though no price has been set yet. The product can be preordered starting in August. of Headquarters:
Product: Voice Activated Living enables older adults to communicate with family members and friends using their voice instead of a smartphone or tablet. An Amazon Echo Show and its virtual assistant Alexa are used to exchange video messages, audio messages and photos with loved ones. Families and friends can use their smartphones or tablets. Why it was created: When CEO Jeff Wasson's dad broke his hip and arm and was staying at a skilled nursing facility, he was unable to use his smartphone and couldn't access the family's group chat. "He was missing out on the conversation,” Wasson says. Older family members who don't use smartphones are often excluded from the family's group conversations. “Our network is for the benefit of this one person.” How it might change aging: “We hope that enabling older adults to stay connected and engaged through the power of voice will lead to increased happiness and joy,” Wasson says. “Our hope is that we can play a part in keeping people healthy mentally. That improves the quality of life and satisfaction as we age." Availability and cost: The service, which became available in May, costs $9.99 a month and includes an unlimited number of family and friends. The primary user must have Amazon Echo Show, which costs about $250, but other users can communicate through their smartphones or tablets. of Headquarters: Dallas Product: KneeStim is a device that uses neuromuscular electrical stimulation and artificial intelligence to help people recover from knee surgery or knee pain from osteoarthritis. Electrical pulses are delivered to nerves, causing muscles to contract and increasing strength and range of motion. Similar devices are used in physical therapy sessions, but KneeStim can be worn while you're participating in your daily activities. The device senses your motion and determines the best way to stimulate your muscles. This is not only convenient, it may help speed recovery. Why it was created: Articulate Labs cofounder Herbie Kirn came up with the idea for KneeStim after losing his right leg in a motorcycle accident soon after he turned 50. He used a neuromuscular electrical stimulation unit while in physical therapy to strengthen his quadriceps muscles, but he thought it would be more efficient if the stimulation could be done during his everyday activities. How it might change aging: “Mobility is not something to be taken for granted,” says Josh Rabinowitz, cofounder and chief executive of Articulate Labs. Giving people more mobility and freedom as they age can help improve their quality of life. Availability and cost: KneeStim is not available yet, but Articulate Labs hopes to receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Its price has not been set yet. of Headquarters: Los Angeles Product: Camino is a next-generation walker that helps people navigate rough and uneven surfaces and uses artificial intelligence to monitor a person's gait and stability. It has an automatic braking feature and folds easily to carry-on-bag size. With a touch of a button, it narrows to “skinny mode” for tight spaces. Why it was created: “My inspiration for creating a better walker is my father,” says Duncan Orrell-Jones, cofounder and chief executive officer. “He has been living with Parkinson's for 20-plus years, during which time it's been shocking to witness how inadequate walkers and rollators are. They are not easy to fold and transport, inconvenient to use in tight or crowded spaces, nerve-racking to use downhill, and difficult to push uphill over rough surfaces.” He asked walker users, family members and physical therapists for a wish list of features that would make the device easier to use and live with. How it might change aging: Camino's special features give people the confidence and support they need to be active, which plays a key role in their overall health, Orrell-Jones says. A better walker can help people remain independent and stay connected to family and friends. Availability and cost: The walker will be available in the first half of 2022. Its price has not been set yet. of Headquarters: San Luis Obispo, California Product: NexStride is a device designed to help people with walk better. This neurological disorder can cause people to have trouble stepping forward, a problem known as freezing of gait. This small device attaches to any cane, walker or walking pole, and creates visual or auditory cues that help people move forward. NexStride projects a green laser line onto the floor, giving users a goal to walk toward and step over. A metronome provides a steady rhythm that helps with walking and turning. People can use one of the cues or both. Why it was created: The cofounder and CEO of De Oro Devices, Sidney Collin, was a biomedical engineering student at California Polytechnic State University when she met Jack Brill, a local veteran who had Parkinson's disease and struggled with freezing of gait. "He knew that these visual and auditory cues worked well for him, because he had used them with his physical therapist, but he didn't have an effective way to use them at home,” Collin says. “I made the first NexStride prototype for Jack.” He brought her to a local Parkinson's disease support group, and Collin discovered that many more people could benefit from the device. How it might change aging: “With NexStride, we want to help as many people as possible get up and walk,” Collin says. “Not only is exercise crucial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but it is the only proven way to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. With a small, noninvasive device, we can promote independence and allow people to age gracefully at home longer.” The device may also be useful for people who have multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy. Availability and cost: NexStride, which costs $499, became available in April 2020. Insurance doesn't cover the device now, but the Los Angeles-based will cover 75 to 100 percent of the cost of NexStride for people in need of financial assistance. Veterans can receive full coverage from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Collin says. of Headquarters: Milwaukee Product: This software platform uses artificial intelligence to help connect people within organizations. Companies, chambers of commerce, social clubs, churches and networking organizations can have members take LikeMinded's assessment, which uses a proprietary matching algorithm based on neuroscience. The connections are made through email, and some membership directors host events that focus on creating matches. Why it was created: “I became interested in connecting people inside communities due to the alarming rate of social isolation and loneliness of people of all ages,” says founder Jeremy Fojut, who has been helping companies engage with their customers at in-person events for the past 13 years. “The showed me that we can't rely on events and serendipity to connect people.” How it might change aging: “People are more isolated and lonelier than ever before,” Fojut says. “Numerous studies have shown the importance and benefits of friendship on social, emotional and physical well-being. There is extensive research showing that friendship is the key to human happiness. Creating more profound, more meaningful relationships can be a good boost for aging hearts and help the body's autoimmune system resist disease." Availability and cost: LikeMinded, which costs $99, became available in June. of Headquarters: New York City Product: This digital platform connects family caregivers with local resources to help their older relatives stay in their homes or find housing. Geriatric social workers can provide assessments, but they can be lengthy. So geriatric social worker Melissa Louie created a free digital tool that helps people find community-based services and housing options that are based on their individual needs and preferences. It's like Match.com for seniors, Louie says. The CareFinder questionnaire uses an algorithm to identify resources that address the clinical, social and financial needs of older adults. The Senior Housing questionnaire helps people find living options based on 10 categories and 148 individual preferences. Why it was created: When Louie was the primary caregiver for her grandmother, she recalls, she was “extremely exhausted and stressed because I was ill-prepared and had difficulty accessing appropriate care.” She realized that many people didn't know about the resources available in their communities. "Services are often delivered by many different providers without coordination,” Louie says. “As a result, many older adults aren't getting their needs met, and caregivers are struggling.” How it might change aging: “SeniorHabitat's mission is to improve the quality of life for older adults,” Louie says. The company provides people with resources and offers care options based on their individual needs. Availability and cost: The service, which is free, is now available only in New York and New Jersey, but the company plans to expand to other states. Kimberly Lankford is a contributing writer who covers personal finance and Medicare. She previously wrote for Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, and her articles have also appeared in U.S. News & World Report, The Washington Post and the Boston Globe. She received the personal finance Best in Business award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.