Imagine for one second not being able to move your body. Imagine trying to move your muscles but nothing happens.

This is the reality for those with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder that results in the weakness and wasting of muscles. Unable to do even the simplest of tasks themselves, people with SMA rely on a caregiver 24/7, even at night where they must be manually moved 5 to 6 times to reduce the risk of pressure sores. 

This isn’t a problem just for individuals with SMA. Tens of millions of people rely on support either due to aging or a disability. This is a multi-billion dollar economic burden and doesn’t just impact these individuals but their caregiver too! A parent or a close relative often provides 24/7 unpaid care which can lead to overall poor quality of life. Or they must bear the extra expense of a paid caregiver which isn’t always a viable option at $100 an hour. 

Imagine if we can solve this problem? 

We are developing the world’s first neuromuscular disability friendly bed – an integrative bed system that mimics natural body movement allowing the user on top to adjust their positions through a multi-facetted app. The bed is able to perform side-to-side movement that no other bed in the market can do effectively. 

Other than its movements, we also plan to incorporate extra features such as sensors to detect pressure points and vital signs, voice command recognition and a security alert that can also be accessed through the App. 

This bed is an investment into total well-being and the benefits of this go beyond SMA. This technology has applications in aged care facilities as well as rehabilitation centres. 

With this bed, we can provide autonomy, safety, independence – and a better life. 

Our Journey

This idea was first presented at a hackathon offered by ThincLab Adelaide and Biogen ANZ where the main problem statement was to “invent a product that would allow teenagers with spinal muscular atrophy feel more independent”. It was after hearing the struggles of Jackson, a 16 year old with type 2 SMA who had to be rolled over by their caregiver 5 to 6 times at night that we conceptualised the idea of an automated “moving mattress”.  The idea was further developed into a bed with full mechanical turning that would also incorporate multiple technological features such as recording of health vitals which can be accessed through an app by the users, their caregivers and physicians. 

Since then we have been working closely with the disability communities and occupational therapists to envision a product that not only delivers on function but also on price, and are currently in the customer discovery phase.  

This work matters and this project has a real and tangible ability to change the lives not only of those with SMA, but people with limited mobility as well as their caregivers.