We are delighted  to announce that Design Group Italia has been awarded the XXII National Award for Innovation (Premio Nazionale per l’Innovazione “Premio dei Premi” COTEC) thanks to the KitMe project, developed with and for the startup IntendiMe and aimed at providing deaf people with a new accessibility.

Made up of a set of sensors, a wearable device and an app, KitMe is an effective response to an everyday challenge and it has been developed thanks to an intense dialogue with end users. Applied directly to any sound source, the KitMe sensors detect sound signals and send them to the bracelet as text messages, vibrations, light signals. Readability for people suffering of hearing loss is thus guaranteed.

The award ceremony took place at the National Research Council (CNR): the largest public research institution in Italy, the only one under the Research Ministry performing multidisciplinary activities.

Edgardo Angelini, Design Group Italia Managing Director and Partner, with the Ministers Maria Cristina Messa, Vittorio Colao, Renato Brunetta and Vittorio Nicolai, President of COTEC Foundation.

The National Innovation Prize is assigned annually to those who have distinguished themselves for the originality of their innovations in relation to products, processes, business models.

Receiving the XII “Premio dei Premi”, established in 2008 by the Italian Government Presidency of the Council of Ministers, and which represents the highest award for innovation in Italy, is a milestone for us: a  precious confirmation of the continuous innovation and growth path Design Group Italia begun in 1968 and which is now fully mirrored by the KitMe project. As winner of the Premio per l’Innovazione ADI – Design Index 2020-2021, KitMe has been awarded the Premio dei Premi upon indication of ADI Associazione per il Disegno Industriale.

KitMe has been developed thanks to multiple competences and relying on the expertise of partners such as Daos Group (electronics and firmware) and Terenzi
(moulds and production).