Boccia, wheelchair basketball, para-canoe, para-karate, deaf badminton: more than 40 sports are featured in the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games. Since the 1970s, the number of participants in disability sports federations has increased fifteenfold. At the same time, technologies for disabilities have advanced significantly. How is the enthusiasm for disability...
Artifical intelligence and disability: for better or worse?
Disability and technology share a common history, as the specific needs of disabled people have often driven innovation. Text messaging, remote controls, voice assistants, and even synthesizers were initially invented for individuals with limited mobility. Today, the rise of artificial intelligence opens up a new realm of possibilities in assistive...
Assistive tech for arms: perspectives & propositions by Yara Peterko
Yara Peterko is a passionate occupational therapist known for her significant contributions to healthcare and rehabilitation. With a Master's degree in Health Assisting Engineering, her expertise bridges the gap between technology and patient care. As Vice President of COTEC, she advocates for innovation in occupational therapy across Europe. Yara's responsibility...
ORTHOPUS Supporter’s beta-test : tops and flops
Between December 2022 and spring 2023 we have conducted a beta test to test out our first device: the ORTHOPUS Supporter. 5 participants, between 14 and 35 years old, tested our robotic assistant at home. Our objective was to gather feedback about its usability in order to improve it for...
Why is the customisation of technical aids for disabilities still too rare?
Customisation has for long been used in fashion or design, but it is still rare to have a custom option on a medical device. Yet, there is a reel need from users. Beyond aesthetics, why does the appearance of medical devices really matter? When customisation gets to medical spheres Having...
What you should remember about the first world report on assistive technology
Photograph David Constantine - coming from the WHO reportThe first Global report on assistive technology for disabilities was recently published by WHO and Unicef. They worked together for 4 years, gathering data from 70 countries in order to enlighten medical and social challenges in access to technical aids. We have...
5 reasons to be equipped with an arm technical aid
Have you heard of these devices? Have you ever wondered what they allow you to do, at work or in everyday life? Discover the benefits we have identified, in essential tasks and their role in social recognition and the relationship with carers. Use all the functions an arm provides You...
Our 4 drivers to develop innovative and inclusive medical devices
Since the beginning of ORTHOPUS’ project, we have prioritized accessibility and users’ needs. A huge number of persons aren’t indeed equipped with the assistive technologies they need even in 2021 in the so-called developed countries such as France. So, how do we develop more accessible medical devices?“Effective inclusive innovation is...
What do global figures on disability reveal ?
Figures are relevant indicators to understand and measure health issues. In order to better estimate the needs of people with disabilities, we wanted to draw up an overview of key figures on this subject.
Our modular arm support for people with limited mobility
ORTHOPUS is working on the development of a motorised arm support for people with limited mobility: the AT1X. This arm support is the first stage of the ARMMS project, a range of assistive robotic and modular solutions.