The "Lépine" competition is back for its 120th edition
Audio 02:27
The mobile aquatic center, presented during the 120th “Lépine” competition in Paris, October 27, 2021. © AFP / Alain Jocard
By: Aram Mbengue
2 min
Exceptionally, the Autumn Fair at the Palais des Expositions in Versailles is hosting the international Lépine competition this year, which rewards the best inventions presented during this event, which has already existed for 120 years.
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Some 300 inventions are in the running for this 120th edition of the Lépine competition, which rewards the most innovative.
From the wackiest to the most useful, the participants hope to win a prize during this prestigious competition.
Jean-François Buisson, a Franco-Swiss, presents his pool truck which he prefers to call, “
the mobile aquatic class
”.
“
It's like a classroom with a swimming pool in it, which is mobile to go from one school to another.
", He explains, then adds:"
The goal is to learn to swim as many children as possible to reduce drowning mortality.
There are 50% of the children who arrive in 6th [grade] and who still cannot swim.
"
The mobile aquatic center can be rented by the municipalities.
However, the regions or departments which so wish can acquire a swimming pool truck for a price varying between 500 and 600,000 euros.
More human dignity
Another invention presented at the “Lépine” competition is the connected mobile urinal for hospitalized people with reduced mobility.
The idea germinated in the head of its Franco-Algerian inventor Hamid Rabhi, following an observation.
“
In the hospital today, there is a lack of nursing staff and, above all, of human dignity.
When the person urinates on themselves, I find it degrading for humans,
”he says.
Then Hamid Rabhi describes the process of his invention.
“
Visaal is a device that will allow people with reduced mobility to urinate with ease and dignity.
Visaal will position himself next to the bed on a gallows with two tanks.
One to collect the urine, the other for the rinse aid.
As soon as the person has finished urinating, they rest on the stem and an automatic rinsing system will rinse the device.
As soon as the device is rinsed, the application simultaneously informs the nursing staff to come and change the bins, to replace or empty the bins if they are full.
"
For better mobility
Another very practical innovation, an electric scooter to motorize a classic wheelchair.
Charlotte Hallot, 30, participated in its creation.
I have been in a wheelchair since the age of 4 and getting around in a wheelchair is complicated.
There are a whole bunch of obstacles to get around.
We have therefore developed a much more affordable engine than what currently exists.
We use a consumer product: an electric scooter that we install on the wheelchair thanks to our [universal] attachment which allows the wheelchair to be linked to the scooter.
This brings a lot of freedom.
A jury of 53 people will have to choose among the most innovative inventions of the competition.
The winners of the "Lépine" competition, including that of the President of the Republic's prize, the competition's highest distinction, will be announced this Sunday.
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