Amazon sets type 2 diabetes management Alexa challenge

A challenge has been set to find a way to help people manage their type 2 diabetes better by using Amazon’s virtual gadget, Alexa.
Alexa, the ‘intelligent personal assistant’, is controlled by voice commands and connects to the hands-free speaker Amazon Echo. It has fast become a familiar presence in homes, as it connects people to the information they require, such as weather, travel and news.
The Alexa Diabetes Challenge has been launched this week in a bid to encourage technology innovators to find a type 2 diabetes management solution using the Amazon gadget.
The challenge is run by run by New York-based business consultant Luminary Labs, supported by Amazon Web Services, and sponsored by American pharmaceutical company Merck &Co.
Product concepts will be focused on improving the experience of those who have been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
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Five finalists will be selected and given $25,000 (£20,000). They will also be invited to take part in a virtual accelerator mentoring session and participate in an Innovator’s Boot Camp at Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle.
They will be required to develop their concepts into working prototypes and pitch their products in September to a panel of judges. The overall winner of the project will receive $125,000 (£100,000) to spend on further developing their product.
The challenge deadline is Monday 22 May, 2017 and the finalists will be announced in July. Entrants can submit their product idea via the website.
Editor’s note: The technology behind this challenge will certainly be interesting, but people with new-onset or long-standing type 2 diabetes are still best served eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise.
Our Low Carb Program has more information on how to lower your blood glucose levels, lose weight safely and reduce your dependency on medication.