Product of the Year has been awarded -- the prize goes to a product that demonstrates novelty value, practical benefit, distinctive features and improves the user's quality of life.
At the fair's News Zone, visitors could discover the very latest products and services in assistive products and assistive technology. This is where the "Product of the Year" award ceremony took place on 23 May at 16:00 -- the first day of the fair. This year, 24 companies participated with a total of 26 products in the News Zone, and the products were on display throughout the fair's opening hours.
"It is fantastic that so much energy has been invested in innovating and producing the 26 products we see in the News Zone at Health & Rehab 2023. These are products developed for a wide range of needs and target groups, and each one contributes to the progress needed to ensure we can deliver welfare services to those who need them."
-- Ivan Kjaer Lauridsen, Head of Assistive Technology at Aarhus Municipality
The winner: Switch-It Vigo head control
The winner of Product of the Year was Sunrise Medical's Switch-It Vigo head control.
The Switch-It Vigo head control, from Nowtech and Sunrise Medical, is a wireless, proportional head control system that allows the user to operate their power wheelchair and other devices through discreet, proportional and intuitive head movements. Vigo is designed specifically for power wheelchairs, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
"The Vigo head control looks like a headset. The headset removes stigma -- it looks just like any other headset, and you can listen to music on it. You could say that the head becomes a joystick; it is instinctive to use."
-- Ivan Kjaer Lauridsen
"It is a great honour to win Product of the Year at the News Zone, because the jury consists of professionals with deep expertise. We hope that the Vigo Headset can help many power wheelchair users in their daily lives and give them greater personal freedom."
-- Bjoern Rasmussen, Product Specialist at Sunrise Medical
Second and third place
Wini -- Ergonomic Grip Enlarger from CarePartner took second place. Wini is an assistive product for people who need extra help gripping everyday tools securely.
Third place went to the Men's Shirt with Magnetic Buttons from Daro by able nordic a/s. The shirt has a classic design with magnetic closures and can be put on quickly and painlessly without assistance or difficulty.