Solve for Tomorrow is designed to foster creative thinking and empower young people to solve societal problems using technological solutions. In France, the second edition of this STEM competition was held in early 2023 and resulted in another great success with remarkable ideas born from the passions of young students.

More than 1,000 participants from middle and high schools participated under one goal to build a more sustainable and inclusive society. Challenged to develop solutions that could construct a more inclusive society for the socially vulnerable, enhance consumption of intelligent energy, or give a second life to consumer goods, each team of the students presented creative yet realistic ideas.

Read on to find out more about the students’ ideas and their special experiences during Solve for Tomorrow.

A true vision for the people in need

The grand prize of this year’s Samsung Solve for Tomorrow went to a group of students from Lycée Dhuoda, a technical high school in Nîmes of Southern France.

As engineering sciences major at school, these students were ready to put STEM knowledge into a good cause. After thorough research, the group was determined to create changes for the visually vulnerable. “We held surveys with local associations to see the needs of a visual aid from those with impaired vision, and the answer was ‘yes’.”

After countless designing, constructing and testing as well as receiving guidance from teachers and Samsung employee mentors, ‘Eye Care’ was made. “Eye Care is a headband with ultrasonic transceivers to help people without sight avoid obstacles. The user can safely navigate their surroundings with the device vibrating – subtly or strongly – depending on the distance between the user and the object.”

The students are grateful that Eye Care was well recognized for its easily wearable, innovative design and potential to actually help the visually impaired. They are continuously working on the project to make the project come to real life, making it available to those in need.

Watching over those in need

Another group of French students put their head together to help those in need. A student group Mecaprat’s from La Prat’s High School learned from various surveys and consultations with local authorities that access to information affects maintaining a stable lifestyle. “We thought: what if we created a watch that can help those trying to find their pace of life, like those without homes?”

Named the ‘The Solidarity Connected Watch’ project, the Mecaprat’s designed a watch can provide useful information, plan appointments, provide maps, or even alert in an emergency with a call button. “The real use of the watch would help build and maintain the users’ ties with the society, and help keep up their phase in life,” explained one of the students.

At the final competition held in Paris, the ‘Solidarity Connected Watch’ project won Jury’s Favorite Prize. “We are all extremely proud of the project we have developed. The Samsung devices we received as the prize will surely help advance our project further,” said the students of La Prat’s High School who guided the group throughout the journey.