Humanity leads; technology
follows.
Our Story
The spark Ziggy came directly from a family who wanted to more social connection with their daughter.
"More and more often we noticed that our 18-year old daughter, Yrsa, who has profound intellectual and mental disabilities wants more contact with us. She frequently turns her head around to glimpse us. She also makes some noise - even though she cannot talk - as if she wants to call for us. Through this behaviour, I realised how little contact there actually is when you are pushing a wheelchair from behind - when walking together is an especially social activity.”
At the TU Delft, Rijndam Revalidatie and Erasmus MC, engineers, clinicians and physiotherapists worked together to develop Ziggy. After gifting it to the family, the saw what a different it could make; watch the video to see her using Ziggy! This is where the goal started; improve connection, communication and social equality for wheelchair users.
"‘Whether care comes from loved ones or professionals, we believe innovation must support relationships — not complicate them.’"
Our Team
Meet Our Advising Team and Ambassadors
Bram Sterke
Consulting Engineer
Having brought multiple rehabilitation robots to market, Bram advises on MDR and CE marking.
Rens Schoenmakers
CEO FYEO Medical
Rens is a Senior Executive with over 20 years of CEO/Managing Director experience within the MedTech field. As former CEO of Welzorg, he advises Ziggy on strategic development within the growing mobility market.
Nicole van den Dries-Luitwieler
Founder and coordinator of In Actie! and mother of a daughter with PIMD.
During her life and career Nicole has amassed experience by working, teaching and advocating for vulnerable groups.
Gerard Ribbers
Professor and Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Erasmus MC
The rehabilitation department of Erasmus MC intensively collaborates with TU Delft and Rijndam in the Convergence for Health and Technology initiative. Gerard is chair of this department, with Ziggy being the first start-up to come from this collaboration bringing together the knowledge of Erasmus MC, TU Delft and Rijndam Revalidatie.
Heike Vallery
Professor at TU Delft and Honorary Professor at Erasmus MC
As a full professor at TU Delft, Heike has been a key team member of Ziggy from the very beginning. Her research group, the Delft BioRobotics Lab, has provided an ideal environment for Ziggy to grow.
Matto Leeuwis
PhD Candidate in the Department of Neuroscience at Erasmus MC
In his masters thesis, Matto created a mathematical model of the Ziggy wheel. He now is undertaking his PhD at Erasmus MC as well as being an inventor on Ziggy's patent.
Our Partnering and Funding Organisations
