Select CTA Foundation Winners CES 2026 Highlights

This episode featured CTA Foundation related activities. Steve Ewell Executive Director of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation and a Vice President focused on AgeTech and Accessibility for CTA gave us an overview of CTA Foundation activities including the new accessibility stage at CES 2026. CES (Consumer Electronic Show) is a very large trade show that takes place every year in Las Vegas in early January.

Jack Walters of HapWare introduced Aleye, a haptic wristband for the visually impaired and neurodiverse, which won the CTA Foundation Health Innovation Challenge for $25,000.

Ellen Morello of EverEx USA explained their Medicare reimbursable remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) software, which won audience choice in the CTA Foundation pitch contest and $2,000. EverEx was selected by AgeTech Collaborative from AARP to exhibit in their pavilion.

Jamey Edwards of Cairns Health presented Luna, a voice-activated digital health assistant, which aims to improve patient care and independence. Cairns Health won runner-up in the CTA Foundation pitch contest and $3,000.

HapWare and Cairns Health won the Eureka Park Accessibility contest for a complimentary booth in Eureka Park at the Venetian and $2,500.

Recorded on January 22, 2026, this episode is part of our CES Highlights Series. Speakers are listed in their order of appearance.

Jack Walters, Founder and CEO, HapWare - Aleye assistive tech for low vision and neurodiversity

Ellen Morello, PT, DPT, US General Manager, EverEx USA - RTM for Rehab
EverEx is an AgeTech Collaborative from AARP portfolio company

James Edwards (Jamey), President and Chief Strategy Officer, Cairns Health - Luna - a voice-activated digital health assistant; Entrepreneur in Residence, StartUp Health

We Referred To:
Gabriella Pangelinan, Chief Scientist, HapWare
Bryan Duarte, CTO and Co-Founder, HapWare
CTA Foundation Pitch Contest Presenters:
Alex (Chan) Yoon, CEO, EverEx
Andrew Ritter, CEO, Cairns Health

Resources:
HapWare featured by Engadget 1-7-26

BoomerTechTalk.com episode page with additional resources

LinkedIn Show Post that includes a carousel of speaker photos

Co-Hosts: Linda Sherman, Debbie Howard and Steve Ewell

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Music: Solemnity written and performed by Richard Sherman