Lomak Design Wins Prestigious Global Award
(Click for a printable version of the press release)
A unique computer keyboard for the disabled has won its designers a coveted gold award at the 2007 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA). The award is being presented at the World Design Congress in San Francisco, October 17 - 20.
The LOMAK keyboard is operated by a head-mounted or hand-operated laser and allows people with disabilities to navigate the internet, type at 20 words per minute, and achieve or maintain their independence.
The IDEA program, co-sponsored by BusinessWeek Magazine and the Industrial Designers Society of America, fosters business and public understanding of the impact of industrial design on the quality of life and the economy. Previous Gold winners include Apple, HP and Logitech.
The gold IDEA in the Computer Equipment category has been given to New Zealand design company peterhaythornthwaite//creativelab for the design of LOMAK – Light Operated Mouse and Keyboard. The keyboard is marketed and distributed worldwide by Opdo Limited.
"This award recognises the skills, passion and vision of a team of talented people," says design principal Peter Haythornthwaite. "Our designers worked with inventor Mike Watling and the client's engineers to create a system that has a profound effect on the lives of people with disabilities."
Opdo CEO, Chris Mulcare, says LOMAK is transforming customers' lives. "LOMAK users develop a whole new outlook on life – they can email friends, remain productive in the workplace, join MySpace, sell things on eBay, the things anyone with a computer and an internet connection takes for granted. At school or university, LOMAK means having the same opportunities as other students."
Terry Pratt, a quadriplegic who is totally paralysed from the neck down says “Lomak opens doors for me that I never imagined possible, it is far easier to use than any previous system I have tried”.
LOMAK users range in age from 7 to 78 years old and have a range of disabilities including multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, cerebral palsy, quadriplegia, arthritis and repetitive strain injury.
"Investment in design has always been important to us and is essential to the success of LOMAK," said Mulcare. "Our aim is to develop products that our customers are proud of, confident with, and happy to use."
"Winning such a prestigious award helps bring our technology, technology that people with disabilities use, to the world. It tells people that disability need not be a barrier to leading rewarding and productive lives. Technology and great design can unlock the tremendous potential of people with disabilities."
For further information please contact:
Christopher Mulcare
+64 21 744 042
c.mulcare@opdo.com
or
John Williams
+1 703 218 4813
jwilliams@atechnews.com
Opdo limited www.opdo.com is based in Auckland, New Zealand. In addition to Lomak Opdo has also developed a keyboard called Notesai™ for people with poor head control and has further products under development including Claser™ – a keyboard that will allow people with disabilities to play musical instruments and computer games.
The LOMAK keyboard is operated by a head-mounted or hand-operated laser and allows people with disabilities to navigate the internet, type at 20 words per minute, and achieve or maintain their independence.
<< Back