CoMoveIT receives the Silver Henry van de Velde Award 2023
The CoMoveIT Smart is recognized for the 2nd time in less than a year with a prestigious award. After the "EACD Technology & Innovation Award 2022" from the European Acadamy of Childhood Disability, this Leuven collaboration now also wins the Silver Henry van de Velde Award 2023 in the consumer category. The CoMoveIT innovation will be showcased at the Leuven MindGate event 'Hardware Unlocked'.
CoMoveIT launched a new high-tech wheelchair controller in mid-2022. The award-winning CoMoveIT Smart makes it possible for people with severe motor disabilities to be independently mobile and thus drastically improve their quality of life.
People with cerebral palsy, for example, who are unable to use a joystick to control a wheelchair, can operate the CoMoveIT Smart with their head or with their head and feet. The innovative software algorithm in this system ensures that users can still operate the wheelchair with control and comfort. Thus, they realize a breakthrough in their personal mobility.
In recognizing the CoMoveIT Smart, not only was the design and innovative nature of this product appreciated, but its social added value was also highlighted. 'Great appreciation for this smart and ergonomic control system that increases the autonomy and quality of life of the wheelchair user,' said the jury.
The CoMoveIT Smart was evidence-based developed at KU Leuven under the leadership of Professor Elegast Monbaliu, also Chief Clinical Officer of CoMoveIT. CoMoveIT, itself a spin-off of KU Leuven, Bruges campus, worked with Comate and Voyager to develop their solution. This involved coupling technology with clinical expertise, ultimately resulting in this high-quality medical device with an attractive design.
"We are honored and proud to win this award. It is an international recognition for our approach and immediately shows the importance of this product for users worldwide. We are using State-of-the-Art technology. Because our head-foot control continuously adapts, even people with complex movement disorders can operate an electric wheelchair. Many of them have great intellectual potential, but their severe motor problems limit their options. Our wheelchair control can help break that motor lock-in. We are addressing the international need of this group of wheelchair users and give them more autonomy, participation and quality of life," says Professor Monbaliu.
The CoMoveIT innovation will be showcased at the pioneering event organized by Leuven MindGate, Comate and the Province of Flemish Brabant on April 19.
Among several other innovations, you will be able to admire this award winning technology, which is the perfect intersection between health, high-tech and creativity, at the "Hardware Unlocked" event.
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