News from our eMag

Assistive technology, rehabilitation and a self-determined life with disabilities

The KARMA team at their booth at REHACARE 2025

KARMA at REHACARE 2025: New power wheelchairs and mobility solutions

At REHACARE 2025, KARMA presented a wide range of new mobility solutions that combine ergonomic design, adaptability, and user comfort. Visitors experienced next-generation power wheelchairs such as EVO Altus, Saber Sling, Agile Plus. Throughout the exhibition, KARMA emphasized collaboration with medical professionals, therapists, and users to further improve assistive mobility.

The Lifeward booth at REHACARE 2025 in Düsseldorf

ReWalk 7 debuts at REHACARE 2025

Lifeward Ltd. has received CE mark approval for its ReWalk 7 personal exoskeleton, enabling commercial launch across the European Union. Unveiled as a highlight at REHACARE 2025 in Düsseldorf, visitors tested the wearable mobility system and learned how cloud connectivity, app-based control, and adaptive walking functions support independence in daily rehabilitation.

The photo shows two people smiling and talking in a workshop surrounded by metallic wheelchair rims

MBL welcomes Errol Marklein to Omobic

MBL announces that mobility expert Errol Marklein has joined the Omobic team as consultant and brand ambassador. With over 30 years of experience in wheelchair design and rehabilitation technology, he brings creativity, technical insight, and empathy to the development of assistive mobility products that support independence and improve quality of life for users worldwide.

In the picture, four people are standing side by side at a trade fair booth

Create it REAL and inorsys introduce 3D-printed seating solutions

Danish 3D printing company Create it REAL and German medical technology specialist inorsys have formed a partnership to bring 3D-printed seating aid cushions to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The collaboration introduces Programmable Foam® seating technology to the DACH region, combining customized design, patient comfort, sustainability, and shorter lead times in medical seating care.

The picture shows a young woman training with a motor-assisted rehabilitation device

Sunrise Medical acquires Made for Movement in neurorehab

Sunrise Medical expands its therapeutic care portfolio with the acquisition of Norwegian company Made for Movement. The specialist is recognized internationally for clinically validated neurorehabilitation devices that support children and adults with neurological conditions. With this step, Sunrise Medical strengthens its role in paediatric and adult rehabilitation care across Europe.

A person using a joystick and hand controls to drive

UN R155 limits accessibility in modern vehicle conversions

The UN Regulation R155 aims to improve vehicle cybersecurity, but it unintentionally creates major obstacles for people with disabilities. Companies like KADOMO and PARAVAN, along with advocacy groups, are calling for urgent regulatory adjustments to ensure that accessibility and cybersecurity are not mutually exclusive.

Person in a power wheelchair wearing smartglasses and steering the chair using head movements

Smartglasses control by munevo meets Permobil wheelchair technology

munevo and Permobil partner to offer intuitive smartglasses wheelchair control, boosting independence for people with mobility impairments.

Three people are wearing the black Exopulse Mollii Suit, two are standing and one is sitting in a wheelchair; Copyright: Ottobock

Exopulse Mollii Suit and C-Brace in neurological mobility support

New data shows how neuro-mobility aids such as the Exopulse Mollii Suit and C-Brace can support people with MS or spinal cord injury.

A man in a wheelchair receives a medal on stage, accompanied by other men; Copyright: CoMoveIT

KU Leuven honors assistive mobility spin-off CoMoveIT

CoMoveIT was awarded the KU Leuven Medal of Honor for its AI-based wheelchair system supporting people with severe motor impairments.

A man in a wheelchair and a woman having a discussion at an office table, both working on laptops; Copyright: Kristofer Lönnå Produktion AB

Workplace accessibility guide for inclusive design by Permobil

Permobil’s guide helps employers and planners design accessible workspaces with tips across ten workplace areas and real-life user perspectives.

A smiling woman in a remanufactured wheelchair by Etac, travelling along a forest path in sunny weather; Copyright: Etac AB

Re:vive wheelchair cuts emission by up to half

Etac’s re:vive concept saves up to 50% in emissions by remanufacturing wheelchairs – confirmed by a new life-cycle assessment from Sweden.

person holds a smartphone in a tiled bathroom while using the BathCheck app; Copyright: Showerbuddy

BathCheck: streamlining bathroom mobility assessments

Showerbuddy’s BathCheck app supports occupational and physical therapists by streamlining bathroom mobility assessments – reducing time spent on site visits, increasing accuracy, and improving client outcomes.

Woman in a Scewo BRO electric wheelchair ascends a set of stairs outdoors; Copyright: Scewo AG

Scewo BRO: accessible mobility solutions expand to Latin America

Swiss company Scewo AG is entering the Latin American market with its electric stair-climbing wheelchair, Scewo BRO, through a strategic partnership with Kuxtal DME in Mexico City.

User with 2 ergonomically shaped forearm crutches with a special S-curvature and non-slip feet; Copyright: Ossenberg GmbH

GANYMED® forearm walking aid: comfortable and ergonomic support

The GANYMED® forearm walking aid is designed to provide enhanced mobility and comfort for individuals with walking impairments. Its ergonomic construction promotes an upright posture, reducing strain on the shoulders, wrists, and back while ensuring greater stability.

Photo: A person with a limb deficiency wears the system during familiarization; Copyright: IIT / Imperial College London

Natural control for prosthetics and robotic limbs

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) in Italy and Imperial College London in the UK has demonstrated a link between hand movement patterns and motoneuron control. These findings pave the way for developing prosthetic limbs that feel more natural to users, significantly improving their usability and functionality.

Photo: The image shows an older man lying down, wearing virtual reality glasses; copyright: Fachhochschule Dortmund / mpool Consulting

Digital solutions enhance day-to-day life in care services

How can technology enhance participation for older adults and streamline the work of care professionals? The project "Di-PAS st", led by mpool consulting GmbH and the Fachhochschule Dortmund, aims to answer this question. By leveraging existing tools rather than developing new ones, the initiative identifies practical solutions that address everyday challenges in the care sector.

REHACARE 2024: Symposium on international cooperation for inclusion

On 26.09.2024, a symposium on the Global Disability Summit 2025, organized by BAG SELBSTHILFE and the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, will take place as part of REHACARE in Düsseldorf. The aim of the conference is to strengthen and deepen international cooperation to promote the rights of people with disabilities.

Photo: A woman wearing the C-Brace orthosis system stands smiling on a path; Copyright: rahm GmbH

Innovative assistive devices from rahm at REHACARE 2024

For decades, rahm GmbH has been committed to enabling people to be more mobile and independent. At REHACARE 2024, the experts from rahm will be offering tailor-made solutions in the fields of prosthetics, mobility aids and pediatrics. Visitors to the trade fair will have the opportunity to get to know some of the most innovative technologies and experience them up close.

Image: A person accompanied by a trainer runs on the AlterG NEO from Lifeward; Copyright: Lifeward

AlterG NEO: Lifeward's newest addition to the AlterG Anti-Gravity product line

The AlterG NEO combines updated user-friendly design with trusted Anti-Gravity technology for precise and consistent unweighting in physical rehabilitation and athletic training. Updated features and a cost-effective price point make the core AlterG technology accessible for a broader range of clinics and training facilities.

Photo: Ottobock employee scans the residual limb of a transtibial amputee; Copyright: Ottobock

2024 Paralympics: Ottobock digitalizes technical service

With digitalized workshop processes and 3D printing technologies, Ottobock is setting an example for the future of technical services at major sporting events. The combination of state-of-the-art technology and experienced specialists ensures optimal support for the athletes and thus contributes to the smooth running of the Paralympic Games.

Photo: Two students make adjustments to the exoskeleton construction. Copyright: Christian Kielmann/TU Berlin

Students build exoskeleton for paraplegics

Students at TU Berlin have developed an exoskeleton that enables people with paraplegia to walk and overcome obstacles. Their project, called RISE (Research and Innovation in Student Exoskeleton development), which will be competing in this year's CYBATHLON in October, promises greater mobility and independence.

Image: A woman sitting at a PC, looking at the monitor; Copyright: Create it REAL

Digital transformation without upfront investment: 3D printing as a trailblazer

The orthopaedic industry is changing. 3D printing enables the production of patient-specific products with complex designs and improved properties. Create it REAL, a leading provider of 3D printing solutions, supports companies in their digital transformation and offers innovative services to take advantage of this technology.

International Long Covid and ME/CFS conference gathers momentum

The fight against Long Covid and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) gains momentum with the #UniteToFight2024 conference. This international, community-driven event, the first of its kind, has already attracted over 3,000 registrations worldwide in just two weeks.

Photo: A group of five men stand in front of THERA-Trainer lyra and smile into the camera; Copyright: THERA-Trainer

Gait rehabilitation – learning to walk again with robotics

Dr. Martin Schorl, Head of Neurology at the Waldburg-Zeil Clinic in Bad Wurzach, Germany, describes the new robotics-based therapy offering with the help of the THERA-Trainer lyra as the "gold standard" in gait rehabilitation. The service helps severely affected patients who had a stroke or other damage to the nervous system to learn to walk again.

Photo: A collage of different pictures of people who are happy; Copyright: Ottobock

Brand evolution in medical technology: Ottobock as a human empowerment brand

The goal of connecting people with disabilities, boosting their visibility and giving them courage has been an integral part of Ottobock’s DNA for more than 100 years. The brand relaunch for the healthtech company based in Lower Saxony builds on this, to be fit for the future in which digital will be a growth driver.

A pink-and-white, wall-mounted folding shower seat from the Barbie x HEWI Collection

Barbie x HEWI: Design meets inclusion

At REHACARE 2025, Barbie™ and HEWI unveiled a sanitary collection that combines timeless design, functionality, and accessibility in an inspiring way. Presented at the GGT – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gerontotechnik® mbH joint stand, the series embodies the principles of Universal Design and celebrates diversity in everyday life. With its inclusive approach, the collection attracted great interest.

A person in a wheelchair wears a VR headset and holds motion controllers; Copyright: University of Waterloo

MotionBlocks makes VR games easier for all to access

Virtual reality (VR) offers experiences and social interaction, but many VR games rely on large physical movements – something not all users can perform. A team of researchers has now addressed this gap by developing MotionBlocks, a tool that adapts VR games to users with limited mobility. Players can customize in-game controls to match their physical abilities.

Photo: A girl uses the exoskeleton in her schoolyard, surrounded by other children. Everyone is smiling and having fun; Copyright: Marsi Bionics

New home-use exoskeleton developed for children with gait impairments

The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) has unveiled the first results of the EXPLORER project, a research initiative aimed at enhancing mobility and participation for children with gait impairments. The project has successfully developed a pediatric exoskeleton designed for personal use, allowing children to participate while using it at home and outdoors.

Image: A woman observes a child using a mobility aid, the MyWay Pedal, near a green field; Copyright: Sunrise Medical

LECKEY MyWay Pedal enhances mobility and strength for children

Sunrise Medical introduced the LECKEY MyWay Pedal, a novel addition to the MyWay+ Gait Trainer, designed to promote standing and walking through elliptical motion. This innovation supports children with mobility challenges by improving lower limb strength and fostering independence.

Image: A woman sits in a wheelchair with a Lomo GX traction device stretched in front of it; Copyright: Stricker Handbikes

Stricker Handbikes: Micro GX and Lomo GX traction devices set new standards

Stricker Handbikes, one of the most renowned manufacturers of handbikes in Europe, has launched two new models, the Micro GX and Lomo GX, which are specially designed to meet the needs of people with mobility impairments. These offer numerous advanced functions that significantly improve both comfort and safety when riding.

Photo: A woman stands in a kitchen, her right foot is in a splint, next to her is a standing walking aid; Copyright: STEETS

Innovative STEETS module: Safe placement of walking aids

An innovative idea in the field of mobility devices comes onto the market: the STEETS module makes it possible to place walking aids safely and stably. After four years of intensive development and testing, three students from Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts and Paderborn University and Paderborn University of Applied Sciences and Arts present their final product.

Photo: A woman congratulates an athlete while a camera man films this standing at the front left; Copyright: Förderverein Para Leichtathletik / Kevin Voigt

Paralympics: live broadcasts at prime time on German television

A milestone for disabled sport in Germany: for the first time, the Paralympics will be broadcast in prime time on ARD (German public-service broadcaster). On September 2 and 4, after the daily news at 8:15 p.m., sports fans will be able to watch the competitions live. Long jumper Markus Rehm and other top athletes will be competing at the World Games for people with disabilities.

Image: A wheelchair enters the picture from the right; Copyright: Showerbuddy

Challenges and importance of mobility in the UK

A UK government report on disability statistics revealed a significant number of people facing mobility challenges. The report found that in 2021/2022 around 16 million people across the UK had a disability of some kind.

Photo: A converted Hyundai STARIA with a ramp for a wheelchair; Copyright: AMF-Bruns

AMF-Bruns: Accessible conversion for comfortable and safe transportation

From mid-2024, AMF-Bruns will be offering accessible conversions for the new Hyundai STARIA. The futuristic vehicle not only impresses with its design, but also with flexible conversion solutions that enable the safe and comfortable transportation of wheelchair users.

Image: Woman in a wheelchair, Mona Francis, holding the Paralympic Torch; Copyright: Paris 2024

Paris 2024 has chosen its Torchbearers for the Olympic and Paralympic Games

80% of the 11.000 Torchbearers between the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays have been informed that they will carry the meaningful fire; they are called the 'Forerunners'.

Kristina Vogel sits in a wheelchair next to the back of her black car; Coypright: Škoda/Dammanworks

Customized vehicle solution for Kristina Vogel

Kristina Vogel, two-time Olympic gold medalist and 17-time world champion in track cycling, experienced a major turning point in 2018 when a training accident left her with a spinal cord injury. Since then, she has been using a wheelchair – and finding new ways to pursue mobility and freedom. Now, with a vehicle adapted by PARAVAN and Škoda Germany, she continues her path toward greater autonomy.

Photo: Sandra Mikolaschek, Valentin Baus, Thomas Schmidberger, Marcel Piwolinski, Alexander Schilling, Lukas Ziemann; Copyright: Borussia Düsseldorf

Borussia Düsseldorf secures ninth straight wheelchair table tennis title

Borussia Düsseldorf continues to dominate wheelchair table tennis: With a flawless season, the team of Sandra Mikolaschek, Valentin Baus, and Thomas Schmidberger secured the 2024/25 German Championship – marking their ninth consecutive title. Without a single defeat, the team triumphed convincingly ahead of surprise runner-up TTC Wiehl.

Photo: Sabine controls the vehicle with two joysticks on the dashboard; Copyright: PARAVAN

Self-determined participation: Drive-by-wire technology for accessible driving

For people with physical disabilities, mobility is a key factor in leading an independent and self-determined life. Advanced drive-by-wire technology enables accessible driving, allowing individuals to navigate their daily routines and professional commitments with greater ease.

Photo: Benjamin sits with his wheelchair in his new Mercedes V-Class; Copyright: PARAVAN

Arriving relaxed – mobile with wheelchair and joystick

Benjamin has been independently mobile since 2011and a good 400,000 kilometres. Now he has taken delivery of his second Mercedes V-Class from PARAVAN. In addition to the new model, the new vehicle also has technical advantages that make driving safer and more relaxed.

Photo: Bruno sits in his VW T6.1 with joystick and smiles at the camera; Copyright: PARAVAN

From driving school to vehicle customization

Thanks to his successful driving school training at the PARAVAN driving school and individual vehicle conversion, Bruno was able to take delivery of his adapted VW T6.1 just in time for the start of his training. Thanks to various adaptations, such as a cassette lift and secondary functions via the PARAVAN touch system, he can now take part in road traffic independently and safely.

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