View source for Engineering:Assistep

{{Short description|Accessibility device}}

{{Infobox brand
 | name  = Assistep
 | country      =       {{flagicon|NOR}} Norway
 |  producttype         = Mobility aid 
 | website       = https://assistep.com/
}}

[[File:AssiStep.jpg|thumb|Assistep handrail and handle]]
'''AssiStep''' (Assitech AS) is an accessibility device that can by used by people with reduced mobility to climb and descend the stairs.<ref>{{cite web |title=AssiStep the "rollator for stairs" is a new innovation helping Elderly and People with Disabilities to exercise and stay independent from help giving you fall prevention |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eip/ageing/commitments-tracker/a2/assistep-rollator-stairs-new-innovation-helping-elderly-and-people_en |website=ec.europa.eu}}</ref> It consists of a railing system fixed to the wall, on which a handle is attached. The product was developed in [[Place:Trondheim|Trondheim]] ({{wipe|Norway}}) and is now sold in 16 countries.

== Use ==  
The handle provides support through a locking mechanism. The user holds onto the handle, similarly to a rollator. To go up and down the stairs, the user raises the handle an armlength forward and it locks itself when downward pressure is exerted.

The product can be used by people measuring between 120&nbsp;cm and 200&nbsp;cm length and supports a maximal user weight of 120&nbsp;kg. The railing system consists of a standard 4,2&nbsp;cm diameter [[Chemistry:Stainless steel|stainless steel]] railing that extends 9,6&nbsp;cm out from the wall. The handle extends a total of 45,6&nbsp;cm out from the wall when in use and 18,4&nbsp;cm when folded to the side.<ref name=NAV>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hjelpemiddeldatabasen.no/r11x.asp?linkinfo=46259|title=Hjelpemiddeldatabasen - AssiStep fra Hepro AS|last=NAV|date=|website=www.hjelpemiddeldatabasen.no|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830192824/http://www.hjelpemiddeldatabasen.no/r11x.asp?linkinfo=46259 |archive-date=2017-08-30 |access-date=2020-02-25}}</ref>

== Development ==
The AssiStep was developed by former engineering students from NTNU, in cooperation with the School of Occupational therapy in Trondheim, where the goals were to develop a tool not requiring electricity and to prevent stairway falls.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lurås |first1=Ragnar |title=Ny rullator skal hindre eldre å falle |url=https://www.nrk.no/vestfoldogtelemark/ny-rullator-for-trapper-1.12403594 |agency=NRK |date=10 June 2015}}</ref> They started in 2012 while they were still enrolled at the university.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dokka |first1=Morten |title=Fikk gjev pris for "trapperullatoren" |url=https://www.folkebladet.no/nyheter/2016/06/11/Fikk-gjev-pris-for-%C2%ABtrapperullatoren%C2%BB-12873144.ece |publisher=folkebladet.no |date=11 June 2016 }}</ref> The product development took 3 years, before AssiStep was launched in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Høisæther |first1=Lillian |title=Egge Helsetun først ut med rullator i trapp |url=https://www.steinkjer.kommune.no/egge-helsetun-foerst-ut-med-rullator-i-trapp.5754896-360157.html |website=steinkjer.kommune.no |publisher=Steinkjer kommune |language=Norwegian}}</ref> In the beginning of 2020, it was available in a total of 16 countries. The development and production phases were financed through a crowdfunding campaign where 2 million kroner were invested in the project.<ref>{{cite web |title=AssiStep: The walker in the stairs |url=https://www.fundedbyme.com/en/campaign/3622/assistep-helping-people-stay-independent/ |website=fundedbyme.com |access-date=2020-02-21 |archive-date=2018-09-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910164459/https://www.fundedbyme.com/en/campaign/3622/assistep-helping-people-stay-independent/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The AssiStep has been awarded or nominated several times: 
*The award for "Best solution" by the Silver Eco Ageing Well Award 2019 <ref>{{cite news |title=The SilverEco® and Ageing Well International Awards winners are… |url=http://www.silvereco.org/en/the-silvereco-and-ageing-well-international-awards-winners-are/ |publisher=silvereco.org}}</ref> 
*Nominated to the prize for the best Nordic innovation<ref>{{cite web |title=Nordic Independent Living Challenge |url= https://www.nordicinnovation.org/realchallenge|website=nordicinnovation.org}}</ref>
*The award for best Nordic collaboration project in 2016 by the Nordic Council<ref>{{cite news |last1=Otmani |first1=Malinn |title=Norwegian startup wins the Nordic Independent Living Challenge |url=https://nordiclifescience.org/norwegian-startup-wins-nordic-independent-living-challenge/|agency=nordiclifescience.org |date=26 September 2016}}</ref>
*Second place in the Venture Cup edition of 2013, a Scandinavian business plan competition<ref>{{cite news |last1=Solnes |first1=Knut |title=Dermed sluttet studentene på skolen og startet egen bedrift |url=https://www.nordlys.no/naring/studentenes-oppfinnelse-skal-redde-liv/s/1-79-7097962 |publisher=nordlys.no |date= 12 January 2014 |language=Norwegian}}</ref>

== Certifications ==
AssiStep has been tested and certified by the German company TÜV, an organization providing inspection and product certification services. It complies with the technical safety standards EN ISO 12182: 2012 (mobility aid for the elderly) and EN ISO 14971: 2012 (medical devices).<ref name=NAV />

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:Mobility devices]]

{{Sourceattribution|Assistep}}