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Photo: Exhibitor and a trade fair visitor with a disability hold a conversation at REHACARE 2023; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Andreas Wiese

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Reports, interviews, news and videos about the assistive technology industry

Discover our latest articles and interviews:

Image: On the left a smiling woman with the BionicBack, in the middle a man with standing with his back to the camera, on the right two people in conversation; Copyright: Philipp Fauck / FLP Media

Putting an end to back pain – thanks to exoskeletons

Photo: A woman in light blue clothing wears VR goggles and holds her hands in front of her; Copyright: Darlene Alderson / Pexels

Digitization in therapy professions: Progress against the shortage of skilled workers?
Photo: Two women, one of them in a wheelchair, sit at a desk and work together on a computer; Copyright: Andi Weiland, Boehringer Ingelheim / Gesellschaftsbilder.de

Inclusion in the workplace: how to make real participation in working life a reality
Photo: Blonde woman with white top holding 3D printed product; linked to video

Orthopaedic assistance thanks to 3D printing
Photo: the REHACARE logo on two large white boxes; linked to video

Highlights of REHACARE 2023
Photo: a man with short dark hair talks into a microphone; linked to video

Start-ups at REHACARE: Ideas meet experience
Photo: image with lines on black background; linked to video

Sensory disabilities: Perception is individual
Photo: man with blue orthosis on left arm; linked to video

HKK Bionics: Motion is freedom
Photo: A view of a large trade fair stand; text:

Dare to make a new start – manage the return to work
Photo: Hands pointing at a laptop equipped with assistive technology for blind and visually impaired people; Copyright: Michel Arriens | www.michelarriens.de
Spanish presidency of the European Council: Expanding voting rights of persons with disabilities
The European Disability Forum welcomes the "Declaration of the Spanish Presidency of the European Council on Expanding Voting Rights of Persons with Disabilities". Six obligations in particular should be emphasized to guarantee the rights of people with disabilities, including promotion of cooperation between the Member States of the European Union.
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Image: Manufacture of 3D-printed orthopedic corset. Right below in white letters: "Create it REAL"; Copyright: Create it REAL
Continuous recycling of 3D-printed orthopedic corsets
Create it REAL introduces the TRACKY project founded by the DREAM program. The primary goal of TRACKY is to demonstrate the viability of a circular economy business model centered around orthopedic corsets. The project is started and runs until the end of May 2024.
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Image: Left: "Celebrating 135 years EST 1888" in white and blue letters. Right: Book with a portrait of Dr. Allen DeVilbiss on a wooden panel; Copyright: Drive Medical GmbH & Co. KG
135 years of DeVilbiss nebulizer – specialist in respiratory therapy
In 1888, Dr. Allen DeVilbiss developed a "spray syringe" to revolutionize drug delivery in respiratory therapies and founded his own company to manufacture and distribute this nebulizer. Today, 135 years later, Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare is the leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of airway and oxygen therapy devices.
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Photo: Woman smiles at the camera while wearing the ReWalk Personal 6.0 exoskeleton; Copyright: ReWalk Robotics, Inc.
Medicare coverage solidified for ReWalk personal exoskeleton
ReWalk Robotics Ltd. today announced its acceptance to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ("CMS") for final approval of the Home Health Prospective Payment System Rule CMS-1780 for calendar year 2024. At issue is the inclusion of exoskeletons in the Medicare Brace benefit category.
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Image: Detail of a handshake between two people. In the background: Detail of two people applauding; Copyright: tongpatong
Sunrise Medical completes strategic acquisition of Ride Designs
Sunrise Medical has announced the acquisition of Ride Designs, the industry leader in customized seating systems for wheelchair users. This acquisition expands Sunrise Medical's product offering in seating and positioning systems with high-quality customized solutions.
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Image: The participants of the European Accessibility Summit panel. In the middle: online participants. Bottom left: "European Accessibility Summit 2023"; Copyright: European Disability Forum
Designing devices for all – a perspective from the industry and the disability movement
The 2023 edition of the European Accessibility Summit was organised by the European Disability Forum. Several industry representatives and disability rights activists discussed the current opportunities and trends related to accessibility, especially since the adoption of the European Accessibility Act.
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Photo: Man with the exoskeleton works in a warehouse with many boxes and crates, one of which he is carrying; Copyright: Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA
"SUITX by Ottobock" sets new standards in exoskeleton technology
On October 9, 2023, the IX BACK AIR exoskeleton from "SUITX by Ottobock" was introduced for use in the logistics industry, combining the benefits of both rigid and soft systems. The innovation is designed to significantly reduce the workload in logistics and increase efficiency.
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Image: In big letters: Global Survey Report on People with Disabilities and Disasters. Among them various symbols, such as a wheelchair and a crossed out ear; Copyright: European Disability Forum
UN report shows very limited progress on disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction
The UN released a report on disaster preparedness for people with disabilities, highlighting a lack of progress over the past decade. Key findings show that many individuals with disabilities lack preparedness plans, access to disaster information, and awareness of risk reduction plans, while they also have limited participation in community-level decision-making.
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Image: Collage of images of the Participants of the European Accessibility Summit panel on accessible digital work environment; Copyright: European Disability Forum
Enabling an accessible digital work environment
The European Accessibility Summit discussed the importance of creating an inclusive digital work environment for workers with disabilities and promoting digital skills for all. The panel highlighted the challenges faced by people with disabilities in digital inclusion and emphasized the need for accessibility and reasonable accommodation.
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Photo: Section of an arm with a sensor wristband; Copyright: Fraunhofer IBMT
Bidirectional control of prosthetic hands using ultrasonic sensors
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute are developing ultrasonic sensors to control prosthetic hands. The sensors transmit sound pulses into the muscle tissue of the arm and enable the recognition of movement patterns, which are then sent to the prosthesis in real time by an AI-controlled electronic box.
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Photo: child sitting in a kidevo wheelchair laughing and waving a colorful rhythm band in a meadow; Copyright: Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA
kidevo: New name for Veldink4kids children's wheelchairs
The children's wheelchairs from Veldink4kids are being given a new name "kidevo" to symbolize their integration into Ottobock and to make it easier for parents to select a suitable wheelchair for their children. There are three models: kidevo prime, kidevo mini and kidevo adapt, each of which can be adapted to different age groups and activity levels of children.
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Image: Black VW Caddy 5 Maxi with extended ramp from which an electric wheelchair comes; Copyright: PARAVAN
PARAVAN VW Caddy 5 Maxi: innovative solution with electric side entry
PARAVAN offers a new solution for the VW Caddy 5 Maxi with an electric interior folding ramp that allows customers with disabilities to enter comfortably from the side. The vehicle offers a low entry height, versatile adaptation options for individual needs and was presented at REHACARE 2023.
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Photo: Dr. Andreas Kannenberg (left) and Dr. Gerald Stark (right) stand next to each other and smile at the camera; Copyright: Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA
Two AOPA Awards for Ottobock employees
Dr. Andreas Kannenberg and Dr. Gerald Stark of Ottobock were honored with two awards during the AOPA meeting in the U.S., the Howard R. Thranhardt Award for their research on the C-Brace leg orthosis and the Sam E. Hamontree Business Education Award for outstanding presentations in O&P business and education.
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Photo: A man with an exoskeleton at the Cybathlon at Rehacare; Copyright: CYBATHLON/ETH Zürich
CYBATHLON at REHACARE 2023: The Future of Assistive Technologies and Inclusive Design
ETH Zurich will present CYBATHLON, a non-profit project showcasing assistive technologies and inclusive design, at RehaCare 2023. From September 13-16, 2023, hands-on demonstrations will showcase the advancement of assistive technologies and announce CYBATHLON, an international competition to promote assistive technologies and inclusion.
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Image: Black device for monitoring arm movements; Copyright: KTU
AI-based system for monitoring arm movement after stroke
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology have developed an AI-based system, including BiomacVR and BiomacEMG, aimed at aiding stroke victims' rehabilitation by monitoring arm movements through wearable technology. This technology benefits both patients and professionals, enabling precise exercise design and individualized treatment plans.
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Image: The Baja® Raptor 2 4-Wheel in the color red against gray background; Copyright: Pride Mobility
Pride Mobility introduces the Baja® Raptor 2 4-Wheel
Pride Mobility has introduced the Baja® Raptor 2 4-Wheel, an innovative and stylish mobility device, expanding their range of products. It offers exceptional speed, comfort, and adaptivity with a focus on stability and safety, while also emphasizing user independence and choice in transportation.
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Image: Three wheelchairs from Sunrise Medical on a yellow-gold background, with the lettering: mobility product award 2023; Copyright: Sunrise Medical
Sunrise Medical Wins Four Mobility Product Awards
Sunrise Medical's mobility products have won awards in the 2023 Mobility Product Award program by Mobility Management. The competition was fierce, showcasing innovation in Complex Rehab Technology and mobility industries.
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Image: Three power wheelchairs next to each other. On the right: "Award-winning innovation" on the left are the names of the two products; Copyright: Pride Mobility
Jazzy® EVO 613Li and Jazzy® EVO 614HD from Pride Mobility earn awards
The two power wheelchairs Jazzy® EVO 613Li and Jazzy® EVO 614HD by Pride Mobility won 2023 Mobility Product Awards for their excellent performance. The Jazzy EVO 613Li offers a nimble ride with Mid-Wheel 6® tech, while the Jazzy EVO 614HD excels in strength and terrain versatility.
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Photo: Woman walks between parallel beams in rehabilitation room with assistance from a medical professional; Copyright: svitlanah
ReWalk Robotics acquires AlterG
ReWalk Robotics acquires AlterG, a leading provider of Anti-Gravity systems for rehabilitation, to expand its portfolio in neurorehabilitation. The transaction strengthens ReWalk's market presence, accelerates its path to profitability and enables new product development.
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Photo: The PARAVAN Hyundai STARIA in black color with extended electric wheelchair on an empty square under a blue sky; Copyright: PARAVAN
PARAVAN premiere Hyundai STARIA: Expressive design with plenty of space
The new PARAVAN Hyundai STARIA is a modern wheelchair-accessible multivan that can be customized and is available with various features such as a cassette lift, drive and steering system, and voice control. Thanks to a lowered vehicle floor, it offers spacious interior space for wheelchair and passengers.
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Photo: Numerous people stand and sit around the booth of ReWalk Robotics at the REHACARE trade fair. The employees stand in front of a large screen; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann
ReWalk Robotics applauds Medicare Proposal for coverage of Personal Exoskeletons
ReWalk Robotics supports CMS proposal to include personal exoskeletons in Medicare benefit category for braces, aiming to expedite coverage and improve access to innovative technologies for individuals with neurological conditions. Stakeholders have a 60-day comment period to provide feedback before the expected finalization of the rule in early November.
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Photo: Patient wearing a prostethic limb. In the background: several medical devices and prostheses; Copyright: Chalmers University of Technology/Anna-Lena Lundqvist
Revolutionary surgical advancement enables full finger control in bionic hand
A groundbreaking surgical and engineering advancement has allowed a person with an arm amputation to control each finger of a bionic hand as if it were their own. By reconfiguring the residual limb and integrating sensors and a skeletal implant, the prosthesis can now be controlled using A.I. algorithms and nerve rewiring, offering new possibilities for amputees.
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Image: MobiTurn® turning and positioning aid in the middle of an illustration with information and the aid number; Copyright: Funke Medical GmbH
Turning and positioning aid MobiTurn® makes inpatient and home care easier
Funke Medical GmbH has expanded its product range with the MobiTurn® turning and positioning aid, which can be used in inpatient and home care. The intelligent aid facilitates the repositioning of immobile patients and enables back-friendly care.
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Photo: Man in electric wheelchair wearing wireless smart glass talking to another person whose back can be seen; Copyright: munevo GmbH
National Seating & Mobility becomes the first national provider in the US to supply munevo DRIVE technology
National Seating & Mobility (NSM), the largest provider of mobility solutions in North America, has partnered with munevo, Inc. to introduce the munevo DRIVE smart glass alternative drive control for power wheelchairs in the U.S., providing greater independence and freedom for power chair users through innovative technology.
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Photo: The three neurorehabilitation specialists stand at a large white table against a blue background; Copyright: Ottobock
Landmark C-Brace® study offers paradigm-shifting evidence of clinical benefits for neurorehabilitation
The C-Brace, an advanced stand and swing phase-controlled orthosis (MP-SSCO), shows better neurorehabilitation outcomes compared to conventional leg orthoses (KAFOs) in an international study. The study provided important insights for clinical practice and could provide the basis for effective reimbursement for the C-Brace.
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