NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 31, 2018)— National Seating & Mobility (NSM) is partnering with assistive technology developer DESĪN, LLC on the national distribution of Obi, the first robotic dining device of its kind. The partnership makes the device more easily available to clients nationwide, including those for whom the device is covered by insurance.
Obi is the first teachable robotic dining assistant developed for individuals living with conditions affecting the upper extremities and who often on a caregiver. The machine merges robotics, intuitive controls and elegant design to create a more empowering, traditional and dignified dining experience for users of all ages. The product is designed for individuals living with ALS, amputation, arthritis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, neuromuscular conditions, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury and stroke.
“We are excited to partner with DESĪN on the national distribution of Obi,” said Bill Mixon, NSM CEO. “This product showcases the powerful impact technology can bring to our industry. We are pleased to add Obi to the list of assistive technology solutions available for our clients.”
Obi fits within the size of a dinner placemat. Its key functionality is a robotic arm that can select food from four compartments and deliver it so the diner may eat from a spoon. Supplied by a rechargeable battery, the device holds enough energy to serve six to ten meals on a single charge. It operates quietly and can be easily transported, comparable to a laptop computer.
Obi has been awarded ten patents to date, covering a variety of innovations and capabilities. The product was designed and is manufactured in the United States, is FDA compliant and certified by Underwriters Laboratories. The device was selected as a gold winner in the Rehabilitation and Assistive-Technology Products Category at the 20th annual Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA) competition in June and was a winner in the Mechanical/Materials category in the 54th annual R&D 100 Awards celebrating the 100 most technologically significant breakthroughs introduced into the marketplace in 2016.
“The partnership with NSM is a game-changer in our mission to make Obi more easily available nationwide,” said Jon Dekar, inventor and DESĪN co-founder. “We are thrilled to partner with NSM to fulfill our belief that everyone deserves access to an independent, empowering dining experience.”
Visit nsm-seating.com and meetobi.com for more information.
