There are six criteria for this Assistive Technology Challenge. How did the project do? Here is my biased evaluation. This is sort of like doing a self-evaluation at work. That is, it’s important to convey key information, be self-critical, but also a bit self-promotional :-).

Reasonably complete. Here is a quick summary compiled from above and from various project documents.

• Challenge. Bring the joy of favorite music to people with dementia, even those that can no longer operate a CD player or iPod. Make it easy to build.
• Alleviation. MP3 player that looks and operates like an old time two knob radio i.e. makes use of the old strong memories to create something that is immediately familiar. Easy enough for kids to build – no soldering, no woodworking.
• World changing. 47 million people with dementia, and increasing. We can bring some joy to them. A key intent is to connect makers to their elders in need – everybody wins.
• Image illustrating use. I took many photos of working builds. And I wrote detailed step-by-step build instructions, complete with photographs.
• Repositories. https://github.com/rosswesleyporter/dqmusicbox
• Licenses. GPL for code, CC BY-NC-SA for the laser cut design. See Github repository for more details.

Does this project address the current challenge?
Is it assistive? Yes. My Dad (DQ) could no longer use CDs and iPods, but he could use this project. The project is named for him – DQMusicBox. Now I’m hoping that it’s assistive for a lot more people.

Does the project benefit society in some way?
Yes, it specifically helps those with dementia. The documentary Alive Inside shows the profound joy that favorite music can bring to those with dementia. The documentary covers the Music & Memory Foundation. There are now 3,000 memory care and other care institution that now have Music & Memory programs. But many people with dementia are no longer capable of using CD and iPods. Two societal benefits: 1) Bring the joy of favorite music to people with dementia. 2) Bring the joy of giving to makers, including kids directly helping their elders.

Is there base-level planning for the functionality (eg: functional block diagram, list of specifications and how they will be met, etc.)?
Yes, the project is well documented. During the challenge I completed the step-by-step build instructions including a validated parts list, many high-res photos, and a wiring diagram. During the challenge, I also completed a requirements document and a design document. The laser cutting case plans are also available.

How well documented is the project. Could the work be replicated?
Yes, absolutely, see directly above.

Is the project creative, original, functional, and pushing boundaries?
It’s creative and original in the sense that I couldn’t find anything else like this (if I had, I would not have done the project). It’s fully functional, ready for other people to build (a few people have during the challenge), and I’ve already given away a few to local memory care facilities. Is it pushing boundaries? It does use a TMP_WRITE_PROTECTED micro-SD card and it takes an unusual route to get great sound from a Pi. But other than that, it deliberately doesn’t push boundaries where it doesn't have to – I wanted it to be easy enough and cheap enough for lots of people to build (including kids).