Here are the six finalists for the 2022 Lexus Design Awards

The Lexus Design Award has announced this year’s slate of finalists for its annual contest.

A total of 1,726 entries from 57 different countries were reviewed by an expert panel that included design luminaries like Bruce Mau, Paola Antonelli, Anupama Kundoo, and Simon Humphries. Finalist submissions were selected for their “original and inventive solutions which highlight the creative interplay between design and technology.” The program says each design offers a unique and diverse range of innovative craftsmanship techniques, materials, and applications.

Since 2013, this international design competition has provided the chance for up-and-coming designers to win the prestigious award for innovative design excellence. Finalists will receive funding to build their prototypes with world-class mentors and reach precious exposure to the global design community and media.

A Grand Prix winner will be announced at a later date. Scroll down to see a list of candidates for the anticipated award.

Rewind (cover image) by Poh Yun Ru, Singapore

Project description: "Designed to evoke memories, Rewind uses a motion-tracking tool that guides seniors with dementia in re-enacting familiar gestures. These actions are then reflected as audio-visual feedback on a paired device that triggers recollection."

Chitfoam by Charlotte Böhning & Mary Lempres, USA/Germany/Norway

Project description: "Chitofoam is a material research project that reuses discarded polystyrene foam as food for mealworms, and then utilizes their exoskeletons such as their discarded shells. It has been found that mealworms can safely digest polystyrene, and biopolymers made from chitosan extracted from their exoskeleton will be used to create an environmentally friendly alternative to polystyrene foam."

Hammock Wheelchair by Wondaleaf, Malaysia

Project description: "By combining features of a wheelchair, forklift, and hammock, caregivers can move and transfer patients without having to manually lift them. A cloth with tunnel casings acts as a pallet, while a wheelchair with two prongs acts like a forklift."

Ina Vibe by Team Dunamis, Nigeria

Project description: "Ina Vibe is a lightweight, portable gas-powered cooking burner/stove with a thermoelectric generator that harnesses heat energy to generate sustainable, affordable and clean electricity, making it possible to cook, charge and light in a sustainable and healthy way."

Sound Eclipse by Kristil & Shamina, Russia

Project description: "Installed in front of half-open windows, the microphone on the back of Sound Eclipse captures noise, while speakers emit sound waves of identical amplitude to the original noise but of inverted phase. These waves combine and cancel each other out."

Tacomotive by Kou Mikuni, Japan

Project description: "The texture of the paper, especially its roughness and softness, changes subtly with pattern cutting. Using this phenomenon, I designed an analog driving game to enjoy tactile exploration, inspired by the concept of co-creating communication in the education of children with visual and aural challenges."