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Brittany Mulligan for Hometown News BREVARD COUNTY — An innovative idea is making a difference in the lives of wheelchair users by creating a smart wheelchair cushion. The company responsible is taking a further step forward by partnering with one of Brevard County’s largest employers for people with disabilities. Earlier in February, Kalogon announced the launch of the world’s first smart wheelchair cushion. It’s designed by a team of former SpaceX, NASA and Northrop Grumman employees to improve the comfort for extended wheelchair use. Kalogon has partnered with Brevard Achievement Center to manufacture the cushions, and this exciting opportunity will provide jobs to individuals with disabilities. READ FULL ARTICLE ON HOME TOWN NEWS BREVARD

Alex Soderstrom, Staff Writer for OrlandoInno This CEO built a wheelchair endorsed by Stephen Hawking before launching his new startup Tim Balz has worked on a long list of successful wheelchair innovations, landing his name on a patent and leading a project endorsed by renowned physicist Stephen Hawking. Balz’s latest efforts won’t revolutionize the wheelchair, but rather, the quality of life of the people who use them. Melbourne-based Kalogon, founded by Balz last year, developed a “smart cushion” meant to prevent pressure sores in people who sit too long, especially those in wheelchairs. The product is in use by some rehabilitation centers, assisted-living centers and hospitals across the Sunshine State. Read Full Article on simulationinformation.com

When Erin Field was just 21 years old, a chimney fell on top of her while hammocking on a roof. The accident caused damage to her C-5 and C-6 vertebrae, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down with no function in her fingers and very limited arm function. Like many wheelchair users, sitting for long periods of time can be difficult. In Erin’s case, she has autonomic dysreflexia, which causes her even more trouble when seated. Autonomic dysreflexia is an issue with the autonomic nervous system, the part of your nervous system that manages functions of the body that happen “automatically”: body temperature control, sweating, pain control, blood pressure regulation, etc. Autonomic dysreflexia occurs when there is damage to the nervous system, often making messages sent throughout the body absent, or misinterpreted. This can cause complications such as dangerously high blood pressure, difficulty maintaining heart and breathing rates, seizures, and fluid in your lungs, among many others. For Erin, Autonomic Dysreflexia causes uncomfortable sweating when seated for longer periods of time. “Prior to using the Kalogon Smart Cushion, I would start sweating after just 4 hours, even with a pressure relief. I could just tell my body needed to get out of my chair. With the Kalogon Cushion that just doesn’t happen.” Throughout her journey, Erin has strived to keep a positive outlook. Spending time with friends and family has played an important role in this attitude. Before using Kalogon, Erin had to worry about pressure sores when seated for longer periods of time. The Kalogon Orbiter Cushion senses how Erin is sitting and automatically adjusts itself in real time, allowing Erin to focus on what matters most. “Kalogon has helped me keep a positive outlook. I no longer stress in social situations where previously I had to step away to do a pressure relief. Now, I feel like I can be in the moment with friends and family without that constant worry.” Autonomic dysreflexia affects up to 90% of people with upper thoracic and cervical spinal cord injuries just like Erin. “Now I can do all of the activities I love without having to worry about doing a pressure relief,” says Erin. “I am beyond thankful.” Hear more about Erin’s Experience with the Kalogon Orbiter Smart Cushion in her own words in this video:

Steven Aquino Forbes Contributor Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Steven covers accessibility and assistive technology. Mobility Tech Startup Kalogon Introduces Its All-New Connected Smart Cushion For Wheelchair Users In a press release published on Tuesday, Florida-based mobility startup Kalogon announced what it calls the “world’s first smart wheelchair cushion.” Developed by ex-SpaceX engineers—the aerospace company started by Elon Musk—Kalogon describes the cushion as being designed to “assist in the healing and prevention of pressure ulcers or bedsores.” The company notes these injuries are the leading cause of preventable death for the more than 3 million Americans who use a wheelchair. Kalogon’s claim to fame is the company’s engineers have developed wheelchair technologies that were endorsed by esteemed late physicist Stephen Hawking. “For me, if Kalogon can solve major challenges that people in wheelchairs face in partnership with people of all abilities, then we are doing our job right from ideation to manufacturing and distribution,” said Kalogon founder and CEO Tim Balz in a recent interview with me conducted over email... Read Full Article on Forbes