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A 3-D Printer That Makes Food for the Elderly

A 3-D Printer That Makes Food for the Elderly

July 8, 2015

Robotics & High-Tech

Capital Technologies — Two BGU alumni have developed a 3-D printer that will enable the elderly to live more independently. With the click of a button, they will be able to prepare a selection of hot food on their own.

Asaf Heller and Nadav Alon, who recently graduated from BGU’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, set out to help Israel’s elderly population as part of the thesis for their degree.

The recent BGU graduates with a prototype of their 3-D food printer

The recent BGU graduates with a prototype of their 3-D food printer

Through their research, they found that one in four households in Israel has a senior citizen living in it. Half of these senior citizens are over the age of 75, and only five percent of them reside in assisted living facilities.

“This data helped us internalize the fact that senior citizens needed a tool that would give them easy access to hot meals without having to depend on their grandchildren, neighbors or family members,” explains Heller.

This technology is designed to work with a 3-D printer and a standard computer. The printer, equipped with this application, will enable an older person living alone to prepare a variety of food choices including pizza, soup and more.

Sound far-fetched? Think about the first time you used a microwave.