In the WillPower project, Vilje Bionics, a Norwegian MedTech company, is developing a device for people with reduced arm function to help them perform activities of daily living more independently. With the new exoskeleton, movements of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand are supported when a person is no longer able to do so properly by themselves due to a stroke for instance. What’s special is that this exoskeleton is fully portable, and people can use it during daily activities in their own environment.
In the WillPower project, Vilje Bionics will further develop the exoskeleton into a commercial product. An accompanying app will be developed by Together Tech from Sweden, with which settings for and calibration of the exoskeleton can be done to tailor support to each user individually. During this process, RRD evaluates the exoskeleton in people with stroke.
Tasks Roessingh
Roessingh Research and Development is responsible for a comprehensive study to evaluate the impact of the exoskeleton, in a broad sense, with stroke patients. In this project, RRD focuses on the social impact of the use of the exoskeleton, by measuring how the exoskeleton influences performance of everyday tasks, what users' experiences with the exoskeleton are, and what the social return is for all stakeholders (users and their relatives, healthcare providers, providers of the device, etc.). This will give us insight into the financial return, and more importantly, the social return (e.g. the value users place on increased independence). RRD does this with support from Assistive Innovations, a Dutch company that develops and supplies aids to people with limited arm and/or hand function.
Project duration
November 1, 2024 - November 30, 2027
Partners
- Vilje Bionics (Norway)
- Together Tech (Sweden)
- Roessingh Research and Development (Netherlands)
- Assistive Innovations (Netherlands)
Grantor
Eurostars