Congress atmosphere in Heidelberg
The joint EACD & IAACD Congress 2025 turned Heidelberg into a meeting point for experts in medicine, therapy, research and technology, people with disabilities and their families. More than 2,000 participants from over 80 countries came together under the motto “Developing Networks – Networks for Development” to exchange experiences and the latest scientific insights on the care of people with congenital or early-acquired disabilities.
For the first time, the congress hosted a Product Award Workshop. Start-ups and established companies presented their ideas – not to investors, but to a professional jury that focused on clinical relevance and benefits for people with disabilities. This format quickly earned the nickname “clinical Lion’s Den.”
„Clinical Lion’s Den“
The field was broad and strong: from sensory-friendly clothing to therapy tools for autism, a dynamic standing device, an intelligent wheelchair steering system, and Real-Food-based nutrition solutions.
And right in the middle of it all: us with RooWalk. Winning the Innovative Product Award in this setting was an incredible moment – and confirmation that even small teams with bold ideas can make a difference.
Keywords that guide us
Three themes emerged again and again throughout the congress – and they could not be more fitting for us:
- early, self-initiated and active movement
- joy, motivation and engagement
- participation in the child’s environment
This is exactly where we want to position RooWalk. Our goal is to demonstrate in upcoming clinical studies how dynamic gait assistance can enable more movement, participation, and independence.
Grateful for support and exchange
A big thank you to Christiana Hennemann, who drew our attention to the workshop. And thanks to everyone who supported us – on site or remotely – especially Huub, Matthias, Riclef, and many other familiar and new faces.
The wealth of feedback we received from physicians, therapists, and researchers was invaluable – and gives us strong momentum for the next steps in RooWalk’s development.
