Mobilegs
	Brand Owner: Mobi, LLC Designer: Studio + Weber Machinery Manufacturer: Illinois Tool Works Materials: BASF Corporation Molder: Illinois Tool Works Moldmaker: Illinois Tool Works
Company Entering Design - Materials: BASF Corporation Product Description: Let’s launch a mobility revolution! This product is designed to completely transform the world of assisted mobility for individuals who have suffered an injury, have joint pain or have other issues with mobility. From top to bottom, each feature of the traditional crutch has been redesigned for optimum mobility. The saddle (top) is made of a plush, aerated material and curves to match the shape of the body. Additionally, it pivots and supports body weight on a spring. The ergonomic design is also evident in the handgrips, which are intended to distribute weight evenly across the strongest part of the hand and are positioned to best align with natural body form. The legs are curved to mirror the contour of the body and have “feet” that rock, intended to replicate the motion that occurs when walking. They are fully adjustable in both height and arm length to properly fit 96 percent of all adults heights 4’9’’ to 6’5’’, up to 300 pounds. This product takes crutches into the 21st century, humanizing the relationship between people, products and the world around us. They are designed with the end-user in mind, and are made with passion, integrity and a dedication to innovation.
Why is the product innovative? When a broken heel confined designer Jeff Weber to crutches for an extended time, he realized that the standard crutch is all wrong, as four million Americans find out each year. Crutches can damage nerves, arteries and tissue and can immediately begin causing sore wrists, sore hands, bruises and numbness. Consumers are practically forced to “amend” their crutches with washcloths under the armpits or furry things on the hand grips; if you have to duct tape something you use every day, there’s a serious design flaw! Because Weber believes that empathy is the key to any good design, he examined the problem and dedicated years to research and development. He then landed upon an entirely new assisted mobility solution that is agile and functional while still being comfortable; it actually facilitates movement rather than just stabilization. Mobilegs possess five key features that achieve this: Saddle: The saddle is designed with a spring to absorb force, and operates in a pivot motion. It is made with a proprietary material that is pre-stretched and designed to maintain its structure forever. The fabric also allows for aeration to keep the user comfortable! • Legs: The legs are designed to mirror the contour of the body and are bent for easier, more stable use. The legs are attached in a way that allows the saddle to stay stationary while the legs rotate around the body, letting hands, wrists and elbows stay in a natural position. • Hand Grips: The grips are angled to meet the hands where they naturally fall. This allows the body to distribute weight evenly across the strongest part of the hand. Additionally, the handles are left and right specific for comfort and usability. Feet: The feet on the Mobilegs are designed to “rock” to mimic the motion of walking. The bottoms are curved much like a car tire and have a longer duration of surface contact with the ground. Because this allows the body to flow through a stride rather than propel itself up and over (like a typical crutch), orthopedic physicians have commented that the body expends less energy. Overall design: Mobilegs are designed to be not only useful, but aesthetically pleasing as well! They are easily personalized with various unique, interchangeable skins, ranging from birch bark to hot rod flames. Additionally, because they are ergonomically designed, they are less obvious and noticeable than other crutches, both in appearance and motion. Jeff Weber’s design philosophy involves the reconciliation between form and function, so Mobi has improved the crutch from a user-centric rather than manufacturer-centric point of view. The anatomy of the Mobileg reflects the anatomy of the human body, and from top to bottom, it is designed with integrity, simplicity and passion. So, what’s so cool about the product? Simple! It gives a person their dignity back after experiencing physical compromise due to injury, surgery, disease and/or aging. As designer Jeff Weber says, man was not meant to walk on his hands.
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