Arcade games to keep seniors fit clinch top prize in Huawei contest

Picture yourself having fun dancing to late Taiwanese songstress Teresa Teng's songs or familiar local classics like Chan Mali Chan in a rhythm game where players step in directions indicated on a screen. In future, seniors may be able to enjoy this and two other arcade games and stay fit at active ageing centres with the help of dance mats and motion sensors.

- Ariel Yu

Picture yourself having fun dancing to late Taiwanese songstress Teresa Teng's songs or familiar local classics like Chan Mali Chan in a rhythm game where players step in directions indicated on a screen.

In future, seniors may be able to enjoy this and two other arcade games and stay fit at active ageing centres with the help of dance mats and motion sensors.

The three games, developed by three graduates from the NUS biomedical engineering department, clinched the top prize of $20,000 in tech firm Huawei's Tech4City competition, which was held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre on Oct 11.

The three-person team, Golden Gamers, beat entries from 69 other teams.

Now in its third edition, the competition aims to challenge students to use artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle issues of sustainability and inclusivity.

Mr Jonathon Leong, 26, Ms Fatin Sharafana, 24, and Ms Denise Caluza, 23, created the games, named PrimePlay, after talking to seniors who expressed a lack of interest in the exercise equipment at active ageing centres and fitness corners.

However, arcade games piqued the interest of some seniors they interviewed at the Community for Successful Ageing Whampoa Centre.