Staybl, a new free app, makes use of existing iPad technologies to make it easier to use for those suffering from involuntary hand tremors caused by conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
After two years of collaboration with experts from the German Parkinson’s Association and Parkinson’s patients in Germany and the United States, the app was developed by Havas Creative’s offices in New York and Germany.
Their goal is to increase access to technology for people suffering from Parkinson’s disease and other conditions that cause tremors. While the app is currently only available on Apple’s iPad, its creators hope to expand its availability to other digital devices and platforms in the future.
“Staybl is neither a medicine nor a cure.” However, it is a technological solution that can help all people with Parkinson’s and tremors gain easier access to the digital world,” Schoeffler added.
Tremors are one of the first symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, which is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system.
These tremors, which most commonly affect the hands, can make simple tasks like putting on clothes or using mobile devices difficult over time and can have an impact on a person’s overall quality of life.
Staybl, on the other hand, can detect when the device is shaken due to tremors and immediately respond by moving its on-screen web browser in the opposite direction using the iPad’s accelerometer. This stabilizes the screen, allowing the user to easily view the web page while keeping the device steady.
Furthermore, the app’s browser includes additional features to make using the iPad easier for those with hand tremors. For example, it eliminates swipe and slide gestures for navigation, provides larger, easier-to-press buttons, and provides customizable settings to accommodate tremor symptoms that may vary throughout the day.
The free app is available through the App Store, but it is currently only compatible with iPads running iPadOS 14 or later.
Staybl is one of many solutions developed by tech companies over the years to assist those suffering from Parkinson’s-related hand tremors.
Liftware, for example, developed an electric spoon to assist those suffering from the condition in feeding themselves more steadily. Its microchip and sensors can detect tremors and cause the spoon to move in the opposite direction, canceling out the movements.
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