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Intuitive and easy to learn! A breakthrough head or head-foot steering for powered wheelchairs. |
Automatically adapts to your abilities thanks to our unique CoMoveIT Technology |
Open up your world, explore opportunities |
Levi's Corner - the blog of Iron Levi
Hello,
I'm Levi Rijsbrack and I was born in 2002. I have Cerebral Palsy (CP). CP is actually a generic term. It's a condition where you find it harder to move because you can't control your muscles properly. This is due to damage in your brain. That damage usually happened before or during birth. So because I have motor difficulties and I am in a wheelchair, I attend a school for children and young people with disabilities, namely the Dominiek Savio Institute in Belgium.
I used to have a lot of difficulties that I had CP. For example, I was sad that I couldn't go on an indoor playground like other children my age. Now I have resigned myself to that and find that I do have many opportunities in my own way.
Meanwhile, I also have my Levi's Corner here. This is my blog where I regularly write about my experiences, whether at CoMoveIT during my internship, at home or on adventures.
Below, we show pictures, video's and quotes from people with complex movement disorders and people surrounding them. They show the effect of CoMoveIT Smart and express the resulting difference that it actually brings. If you want to test-drive yourself or witness such test as doctor, therapist, parent or supporting family, please reach out through our contact page!
In this video you see a woman driving her wheelchair with a joystick.
You see her using her arm, waving to hit the joystick in a certain direction. She’s using the tension, searching control of the joystick. She has to use fine motor control for that; something she’s not able to do.
Pay particular attention to the stress in the right arm leading to pain in the shoulder. On longer term this might lead to luxation of the shoulder requiring severe medical treatments. Such pain leads to demotivation to drive and thus lower mobility.
You see her using her arm, waving to hit the joystick in a certain direction. She’s using the tension, searching control of the joystick. She has to use fine motor control for that; something she’s not able to do.
This way of driving leads to an asymmetric position and tension, leading to spinal deformities (risk for rotation scoliosis) and pain over time.
Pay particular attention to the stress in the right arm leading to pain in the shoulder. On longer term this might lead to luxation of the shoulder requiring severe medical treatments. Such pain leads to demotivation to drive and thus lower mobility.
Although she’s driving for many years, there is still no smooth driving experience, which is caused by the lack of control.
Here you see the same lady testing the CoMoveIT Smart on a test chair after only 20 minutes.
She uses her right foot as gas pedal and steers left and right with her head. Although the involuntary movements are still there, you see how the smart algorithm makes smooth driving and full control possible in a very short time period.
She has a good symmetrical position in the chair, her arms are no longer waving around. Thanks to the function of her feet, she accepts the straps that keep her legs at ease as well.
Her control is very high, clearly leading to a fun experience for her.
She uses her right foot as gas pedal and steers left and right with her head. Although the involuntary movements are still there, you see how the smart algorithm makes smooth driving and full control possible in a very short time period.
She has a good symmetrical position in the chair, her arms are no longer waving around. Thanks to the function of her feet, she accepts the straps that keep her legs at ease as well.
Her control is very high, clearly leading to a fun experience for her.
In this video, you see a 4,5-year-old boy for the first time in a powered wheelchair. He’s learning how to drive forward with his right foot and steers left and right with his head.
Very soon after hearing a few instructions, he already got the hold of it. Kids learn fast and it is important to start as young as possible, so they develop spatial awareness as well.
Until today he was pushed from point A to point B and now clearly having fun in learning how to move around independently. His involuntary movements are no obstacle for control and smooth driving thanks to the smart algorithm of the CoMoveIT Smart.
“Very satisfied to be able to move independently”,
Frederik's testimonial after a few weeks using his CoMoveIT Smart.
"My MS makes it difficult for me to use my hands and operate the joystick of my wheelchair.
On 4 October 2022, the Belgian company VIGO equipped my electric wheelchair with CoMoveIT Smart. I now have a pedal that allows me to drive forward or backward with my right foot. To drive forward, I just have to press with my foot. To drive backwards, I press my head on the pressure pad behind my head and simultaneously press the pedal with my foot. The wheelchair stops as soon as I stop pressing with my foot. To the right and left of my head there is also a pressure pad, which I use to turn.
At the back of the wheelchair, there is a joystick with which the attendant can steer, if necessary. To operate the display menu, I can press the pad behind my head a little longer without operating the right pedal. By pressing again, I can select the next option on the display. This way, I can turn my TV on and off. I can also control the lights, the direction indicators, the horn and the acceleration of my wheelchair with this."
"Currently, I am practicing under supervision for an hour every day and every day I am improving. For now, driving through a doorway is still a bit more difficult than in a wide corridor. It is especially important that my foot is in the right place on the pedal to operate it smoothly. For now, I still have to concentrate well to control the steering, but with practice I will be able to more intuitively. In any case, I am very satisfied to be able to move independently again."
“I would like to continue to drive on my own”,
confirmed Merel (child with Dyskinetic CP), after she tested with the CoMoveIT Smart system for about 45 minutes.
“It is remarkable how relaxed he’s driving. Arm and leg muscles are free from tension while he’s driving this system.”,
noticed by Carl, father of Levi, with Dyskinetic CP.
The automatic adaptation to the user, the auto-calibration, the intuitive driving, they are all elements of CoMoveIT Smart, that make controlling a wheelchair an easy task. Since the best configuration is determined based on the abilities of the user, the user doesn’t have to think about how to control the wheelchair.
Probably the most crucial benefit for you as a user is the smooth learning curve facilitated by the technology, which enables intuitive driving. This brings a feeling of achievement and well-being as you quickly learn and experience the positive impact of CoMoveIT Smart.
As our development is based on research, the underpinning of the solution is present and as good as all submitted requests for reimbursements are approved. For many of our users there is no other clinically sound system to be used.
The reimbursement provides our users financial relief and accessibility to a high-quality solution that is supported by research, ensuring their ability to access clinically validated technology. If you want to get a price offer, please go to ‘Where to get?’
CoMoveIT Smart’s automatic adaption quickly results in an intuitive way of driving that brings maximum comfort to the user. No need to worry about what force to use or to think about the method to steer.
Intuitive driving! Yes! Isn’t that what you as a user want, no stress, no headache about what force to apply or your steering technique, just enjoy the comfort and the ride.
CoMoveIT Smart is connected to a wheelchair control system (e.g. OMNI2) that easily allows to interface with assistive technology, different peripherals, computer, laptop or gaming equipment
In our FAQ section, you can find a lot more technical details about how this can be set up.
At least as important as driving for you, the user, as this opens a world of possibilities for communication, leisure and entertainment, enhancing your overall quality of life.
At every start and re-start, the system reverts to a baseline and automatically calibrates. A few seconds later the automatic adaptation takes over for further use.
For users, this ensures a consistent approach, eliminating the need for manual adjustments, while still assuring a seamless driving experience.
The CoMoveIT Smart is an intelligent steering system that is mounted on a powered wheelchair. It can be used in different configurations. As a headset only it functions with three pads. A back pad, a left pad and right pad. You control the wheelchair by just pushing your head against one of these pads.
For people who have some foot ability, one, or two foot pads can be installed.
Each head or foot pad can be designated with the function to drive, steer or access the menu.
CoMoveIT Smart offers multiple configurations, allowing you to choose the one that suits your abilities best. The pads bring comfort and improved ergonomic positioning while driving. All of this in an award-winning design!
Our users experience a therapeutic effect already during the initial assessment. This therapeutic effect is multi faceted.
- A reduction in pathological tonus and involuntary movements, thanks to the algorithm, the use of the sensors and the intuitive set-up.
- More symmetry during driving and improved posture as the head is always assigned a function during driving. Increased symmetry and a reduction in pathological tone, will lead to a delayed and reduced onset of musculoskeletal deformities and decrease pain complaints should those exists.
- An improvement in spatial awareness and improved societal participation. We know these factors lead to increased emotional maturity and well-being.
- Increased independence, self-confidence and general quality of life.
Some of these effects become apparent during the initial assessment phase, whilst others become clearer during the longer-term use of the CoMoveIT Smart.
Feeling less stressed, be more relaxed and more in control of your chair, what’s not to like? :D
The CoMoveIT Smart is a unique steering system that adapts the wheelchair control to the user. The system keeps track of the way it is being used by the driver and automatically adapts the control to the driver. Even with high tension, very low power or interrupted pressure, the system will transfer the correct signals to the wheelchair to allow for a smooth driver control.
You’ll appreciate this continuous and automatic adaptation as it ensures a personalized and reliable driving experience, accommodating your individual capabilities and needs while maintaining smooth and responsive wheelchair movement.
At Belgian university KU Leuven, a thorough research project resulted in scientific insights in both technical as well as clinical aspects that determined the solution that CoMoveIT Smart is today. We have summarized these insights in a white paper. To receive a copy, contact us here..
As a user, specifically you want to be sure to get a clinically sound solution that addresses your needs effectively. The scientific underpinning ensures a high level of reliability, safety and therapeutic benefits.
CoMoveIT Smart is technically compatible with almost all wheelchairs. With several signed compatibility certificates in place. More information about compatibility can be found here.
As a user, this ensures a wide range of choices and the ability have the system integrated seamlessly with your preferred wheelchair.
CoMoveIT Smart functions can be broadened with extra buddy buttons, for instance when there is no foot ability, an extra buddy button might be required. Or, to switch to a speech computer, for gaming or other assistive technology, an extra button can be desired.
Users want a flexible solution that can be tailored to their specific needs, accommodating various assistive technologies and preferences for additional control options.
The installation of CoMoveIT Smart is a relatively easy task. The headset is mounted on the seat, or the frame and foot plates are attached with strong Velcro on top of the footrest. After programming the wheelchair control, the chair is ready to drive. Further fitting is done without tools or software, simply plug and drive.
For users, a topic you don’t want to, and now don’t have to worry about. You just want a quick and convenient setup that doesn’t require too much from you.
CoMoveIT Smart itself doesn’t need programming or custom settings, not even at installation. The included pre-programmed software works automatically, and the auto-adapting part assures the system works as if it is customized.
For users, this eliminates the need for complex setup or customization, allowing them to start using the system immediately without any technical barriers.
To a large extent, the innovation of CoMoveIT lies in the use of specific high-tech pressure sensors and the smart software algorithms that process these signals. More technical details can be found in the FAQ section.
You will appreciate the intuitive and responsive steering that provides a smooth and enjoyable driving experience, even without understanding the high-tech specifics that make this possible.
CoMoveIT works in full compliance with all required regulation. Additionally, our products are built according to the ISO13485 standard.
Users appreciate that CoMoveIT Smart complies and surpasses safety and quality standards which gives confidence about reliability and performance of their steering system.
CoMoveIT
Baron Ruzettelaan 5 bus 1.1
8310 Assebroek (Bruges) - Belgium