Ebis Story – How users help shape our product development

 

Ebi has ALS, which has led to complete paralysis of his arms, hands and legs. For anyone with ALS, the disease presents many obstacles to every aspect of their daily life. With the help of HomeBrace's assistive technologies, Ebi still finds ways to get his condition under control. He used HomeBrace's MyEcc Prop and MyEcc Pupil Prop eye controls, MyEnvi and a Kinova robotic arm. Together, they supported Ebi, which was a success, and this experience has had a significant impact on the company's product development.

Ebi first came into contact with HomeBrace's technologies through a medical supply store that initiated a chain of connections to support him now and in the future, while also building a relationship between Ebi and HomeBrace that was both influential and mutually beneficial.

Ebi and HomeBrace: An Evolving Relationship

HomeBrace explained that the collaboration with Ebi began in the classic way, as a relationship between a user and a manufacturer. But over time, this developed into a partnership exchange at eye level. Ebis' valuable feedback from everyday life flowed directly into the further development of products, for example in the optimization of the control box and the design of user-friendly interfaces.

With each joint stage, mutual trust grew. For Ebi, it became clear that his voice and his insights count. Today, they are connected by more than just a business relationship. Rather, it is a close partnership based on respect, openness and the common goal of making technology accessible and suitable for everyday use.

Ebi is not only an active brand ambassador for HomeBrace, but also a central driving force for product development. His experience and perspectives are an essential part of the innovation process. In addition, he is committed to campaigns that are authentic, convincing and with an eye for the essentials.

Ebi and its technology

Over the years, Ebi has used the MyEcc Pupil Prop, which helps him move independently. He also has access to the award-winning special wheelchair control module MyEcc Prop as a communication device, which adds communication functions to his eye control system and allows him to participate even more actively in daily and social life. Although it's not the technology he currently uses, the shared control and interface means he knows it's there for him when he needs it, giving him peace of mind that a solution will be available in the future as his needs change. The fully integrated system provides targeted control of its environment as well as communication support, especially in situations where traditional input methods are no longer feasible.

Ebis MyEnvi system also serves as an environmental control system, allowing it to continue to control devices, features and functions such as lights, doors, beds and consumer electronics, significantly increasing its independence. This is reinforced by a robotic arm from Kinova, which enables Ebi to use eye control or another interface in everyday life to carry out gripping and movement actions, reach objects, perform simple household tasks independently or use aids for his care. Ebi explains that without this combination and integration of technology, his life would have been very different, as he would have needed much more support from those around him, which limits his personal independence.

By integrating these modern technologies, Ebi has regained a high level of self-determination, communication and participation. His extensive experience makes him a valuable resource for the further development and practical application of these systems.

The Importance of User Insights in Technology Design

The ongoing collaboration with Ebi has had a significant impact on HomeBrace's product development, providing key insights in terms of practicality, ease of use and everyday usability, all of which have been incorporated into the ongoing optimisation of the systems. Ebi has seen his feedback morph into a new control box that offers fewer errors when using it. While he believes that the team at HomeBrace has many ideas for the future, they value his feedback and ideas equally.

From the very beginning, HomeBrace saw Ebi not only as a user, but also as an active partner in the development process. His practical feedback on everyday challenges and system development was taken seriously and was directly incorporated into concrete improvements, such as the development of a more user-friendly control system. The experience of other users was also incorporated into the design of a system that is intuitive to use and can be relied on in everyday life.

For Ebi, this development meant a significant increase in self-determination; for HomeBrace, it was a clear confirmation that participatory product development is the right approach.

Today, Ebi is not only a convinced brand ambassador for HomeBrace, but also an important driving force behind its further development. His perspectives as a user are an integral part of the innovation process.

Inference

Co-design is not just an academic concept for HomeBrace and Ebi; It is at the heart of joint product development. These developments make a difference in the daily lives of people with disabilities and explain why Ebi does not hesitate to recommend HomeBrace to others: "Absolutely"