YKK was praised for its efforts to develop products that help dementia patients.
The Japanese zipper expert YKK Corporation won the top prize at the Orange Innovation Award 2024. The prize is organized by the secretariat of the Dementia Innovation Alliance Working Group.
YKK has been championing a “participation-based development” approach, where zippers that are easy for anyone to open and close are developed and improved through direct dialogue with people with dementia who have handled the zippers. YKK was praised for its efforts to build applications for multiple generations based on feedback from dementia patients. Additionally, YKK prepared various product samples, including the Click-Trak Magnetic zipper, which uses magnetic force to align its openings, collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders to develop these innovations.
The Orange Innovation Award 2024 aims to promote the development of products and services in a variety of industries and fields that help people with dementia solve issues in their daily lives and accomplish the things they want to do. This will increase recognition of “development with the participation of people affected by dementia” and bring about an inclusive society.
