The project closes 2024 with a significant milestone in the physical development of its devices, after integrating design, electronics, and 3D printing engineering.
Jaén, December 2024 – The MicroChip4Age project, led by the ASIA research group at the University of Jaén, has received its first 3D-printed prototypes this December for the “pawn”-type device casing and the BLE-enabled smart wristband—key components of the non-invasive monitoring system being developed to improve the quality of life for older adults and chronic patients.
These first prints are the result of months of intensive technical and creative work across multiple teams and mark a turning point in the physical development of the system prototype. The parts were manufactured by Sodeintec, a company specialized in technological solutions and additive manufacturing, based on the industrial design by the renowned international firm Eli Gutiérrez Studio, and in coordination with Hardware Me Electronics, responsible for the devices’ electronic architecture.
In addition, these initial prototypes pave the way for new print tests by Sodeintec, which will be essential to test materials, finishes, assembly, and ergonomics, and ensure that the casing fits the electronic components developed by Hardware Me Electronics perfectly—without compromising technical performance or user experience.
From concept to object: combining design, technology, and ergonomics
The design of these casings reflects the core principles of the project: respect, seamless home integration, and stigma-free usability. The work of Eli Gutiérrez Studio has transformed an advanced technological solution into a product that is friendly, comfortable, and designed for everyday living.
A model of cross-sector collaboration
This stage represents a clear example of collaborative innovation, uniting the efforts of researchers, designers, engineers, and manufacturers into a single development process. The ASIA research group at the University of Jaén coordinates this synergy across sectors to move toward one of the project’s key milestones: the functional validation of the prototype in real-world settings and the achievement of Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL 7).
Closing 2024 with a firm step toward validation
With these first physical prototypes in hand, MicroChip4Age enters its final integration phase: electronics, design, and manufacturing converge to bring to life a technology that protects without invading, cares without surveilling, and puts the person at the center.
