Transition Robotics, Inc. received a Cool Idea! Award with the Quadshot, an open-source, remote-controlled aircraft that combines the functionality of both a helicopter and an airplane. Equipped with gyroscopes, accelerometers, and microprocessors – originally developed for smart phones – the Quadshot is capable of high speeds and impressive aerobatics. The Quadshot can be purchased fully-assembled and ready to fly, or in one of three packages that encourage users to modify the electronics and software to custom-fit their desires.

6dot received Protomold injection molding services as a recipient of the Proto Labs Cool Idea! Award for their lightweight, handheld Braille labeler. The portability and intuitive nature of the labeler enables those without sight to better navigate their everyday environments. Additionally, since early Braille literacy has a positive correlation to employment among the blind and visually impaired later in life, 6dot hopes their device, that even young children can manage, will have an impact on improving the Braille literacy rate.

SkyLight, a device that connects any smartphone to any microscope, was created by Andy Miller and Tess Bakke to help transform global healthcare, telemedicine, science education and research capabilities. With SkyLight, people around the world are able to share images and videos via their smartphone. Healthcare workers in a third world country can capture and send diagnostic images to a trained expert able to make a vital diagnosis. As a Cool Idea! Award recipient, Proto Labs provided SkyLight with CNC machining for prototyping, followed by injection molding tooling and accompanying plastic parts.

Matt Nestor received Firstcut CNC machined prototype parts as a recipient of the Proto Labs Cool Idea! Award for his QuicKaddy Hex Key case. The case allows a hex key to be quickly pulled straight from the case without having to move other hex keys in the process since there are slots, not through holes, which are typical of most cases currently on the market. The keys are held in place by powerful magnets located in the body of the case. Nestor’s design allows tools to be organized and accessed faster and easier than existing hex key cases, saving the user time and increasing productivity.

Whirlwind Wheelchair International’s lightweight and rugged RoughRider® wheelchair was awarded a Cool Idea! Award and received Protomold injection molded parts for the key side panels needed for an initial U.S. launch. The RoughRider was originally designed for those with disabilities in developing countries as a low-cost, highly durable wheelchair that can handle rough terrain with ease. The RoughRider combines a revolutionary long wheelbase with a unique, high-impact/high-flotation wheel to allow users to safely descend curbs and short flights of stairs and to easily traverse obstacles in their path.

Rice University received Protomold injection molded prototyping and production services as part of their Cool Idea! Award for their “r-one” robotics project, designed to aid undergraduate engineering students research multi-robot systems at a low cost. The robots, developed by Professor James McLurkin and his students, have the ability to communicate with the user and with one another using an internal computer, motors, lights and sounds.

Don Ladanyi of Westlake, Ohio, was awarded Protomold injection molded prototyping and production services to help launch his line of flatware, TruFlavorWare®, developed specifically for chemotherapy patients. TruFlavorWare is non-metallic, organic, taste-inert flatware, designed to make food taste better by eliminating the aversive “taste-reactive” electro-chemical reactions caused by metal knives, forks and spoons. Ladanyi’s product brings particular relief to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy by removing the bitter metallic aftertaste that often occurs when trying to eat with standard metal flatware.