Technology is not an end in itself

It aims to effectively improve the lives of children with motor impairments. Here, effectiveness doesn’t just mean reaching motor milestones. It means fostering independence and supporting children in active participation.

Would you like to join us as a clinical partner and help build valuable evidence for paediatric rehabilitation? Then we’d love to hear from you!

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RooWalk waloo
Our pilot study

In a pilot study, eight children performed realistic mobility tasks on various surfaces. Each run was completed both with the child’s usual gait trainer and with the RooWalk waloo, following an initial familiarization session with the RooWalk waloo. In therapist observations, positive trends were noted in the children when using the RooWalk waloo in the following areas:

  • Exploration
    (increased environmental interaction through easier access to the front and ground)

  • Posture
    (e.g., encouraging a flat foot contact instead of toe walking)

  • Mobility
    (e.g., easier maneuvering and reduced need for assistance due to motorization)

Read the study

What Science Says

Self-initiated activity boosts participation and motor learning—and that’s exactly where the RooWalk waloo comes in. With free hands to explore and the ability to adapt to varying surfaces, smart motorization empowers kids to discover their environment independently.

Sep 09

“Benefits identified [when child is using a hand-free support walker] both parents and professionals included providing a way to exercise and stay active, improving motor control, enhancing independence, and bringing enjoyment”

Survey study analysing the effect of hands-free support walkers on mobility, independence and cognitive and communicative development.
Luo F, Blackstone S, Canchola J, et al. "Surveying the Perspectives of Parents and Professionals on Providing Upright, Hands-Free, Self-Initiated Mobility to Children with Severe Physical and Communication Disabilities" 2025
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Sep 09

"If intensive blocks of treadmill or robotic training are chosen as the family’s preference, they should also be accompanied by overground stepping to promote functioning in real-life contexts and activities."

Scoping review through the lens of F-Words and the interdependence-Human Activity Assistive Technology (iHAAT).
Paleg G, Sian A, Williams S, Livingstone R "Supported Standing and Supported Stepping Devices for Children with Non-Ambulant Cerebral Palsy: An Interdependence and F-Words Focus" 2024
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Sep 09

Independent Mobility in various environments is inextricably linked to social participation.

Scientific article about the ON Time Mobility framework.
Sabet A, Feldner H "ON Time Mobility: Advocating for Mobility Equity" 2022
Sep 09

"After that, a further challenge lies in the robot being able to assist [...] outdoors where the “lay of the land” is notably different and less predictable. Hence, exploring new technologies to actuate the system and detect children’s intentions when they want to move is necessary."

Systematic review of the current robotic devices design features suitable for paediatric rehabilitation.
Gonzalez A, Garcia L, Kilby J, et al. "Robotic devices for paediatric rehabilitation: a review of design features" 2021
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Sep 09

Real-world mobility tasks in varying environments are vital for community participation.

Systematic review of interventions for preventing and treating children with cerebral palsy.
Novak I, Morgan C, Fahey M, et al. “State of the evidence traffic lights: Systematic review of interventions for preventing and treating children with cerebral palsy.” 2020
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Sep 09

Body weight support provided by a harness system around the torso results in greater leg muscle activity (EMG) compared to support provided by the arms.

Scientific Article about the locomotor principles of walking and the use of gait-training devices.
Spiess M, Steenbrink F, Esquenazi A "Getting the Best Out of Advanced Rehabilitation Technology for the Lower Limbs: Minding Motor Learning Principles" 2018
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Sep 09

“Movement variability during practice, specifically in children and for so-called “open” skills (tasks in which environmental factors continuously influence the execution, such as walking in a crowd or on unstable ground), leads to more learning and better generalizability to other, similar tasks."

Scientific Article about the locomotor principles of walking and the use of gait-training devices.
Spiess M, Steenbrink F, Esquenazi A "Getting the Best Out of Advanced Rehabilitation Technology for the Lower Limbs: Minding Motor Learning Principles" 2018
Read the study
Sep 09

"Compared to passive movement, active movement of the legs significantly increases the activation of the sensorimotor network."

Basic neurobiological study.
Jaeger L, Marchal-Crespo L, Wolf P, et al. "Brain activation asscocated with active and passive lower limb stepping" 2014
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Sep 09

“In children who have inefficient mobility or lose the ability to walk, power mobility enhances activity and participation. Without efficient, independent mobility, young children are at risk of developing passive, dependent behaviour and older children are at risk of decreased participation and isolation.”

Best practice guideline for the use and introduction of powered mobility with children.
Livingstone R, Paleg G "Practice considerations for the introduction and use of power mobility for children" 2013
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