News

Lomak user is best in world in Cambridge Exam

Ryan Leitch has done it again. For the second year running, Lomak user Ryan has achieved the top marks in the world in geography in the November round of the Cambridge International Exams.

Ryan, who has spinal muscular atrophy, was one of the first students to test a Lomak pre-commercial prototype in 2002. He acquired his own keyboard in 2005 and has used it since to keep up with his classmates at Westlake Boys High as he studied for university entrance. Last year he topped the world at AS level in geography, and also gained his University Entrance; a year earlier than most students.

Staying on at school because he liked it, the 18 year old Aucklander this year went one better, with his top result at A level. He will start at Auckland University in a few weeks time, majoring in geography about which he is passionate.

Ryan has praised his Lomak for giving him independence and as having fuelled his drive to succeed.

Opdo CEO, Chris Mulcare, who has followed Ryan’s progress closely over the years has nothing but praise for the teenager. “His achievements are remarkable given the difficulties he has had to overcome. We are pleased to have been able to help him, and very proud to be associated with this determined young man.”

Lomak exhibited at prestigious MoMA exhibition

The Lomak keyboard has been selected for display in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York as part of MoMA’s “Design and the Elastic Mind” Exhibition. The exhibition, which runs from February 24–May 12, 2008, is about the latest advances in design in a modern and changing world. It will show designers’ ability to grasp momentous changes in technology, science, and history that will demand or reflect major adjustments in human behaviour, and convert these changes into objects that people can actually understand and use. (Click here for more information on the exhibition.)

The award winning Lomak Keyboard design is one of only about 200 designs selected from all around the world and covering every area of science and technology.

Award winning New Zealand designer Peter Haythornthwaite of Creativelab, the designer of the Lomak keyboard, felt both thrilled and honoured:

“MoMA is at the forefront of investigating how design can humanize science and technology. Lomak is an example of how user-centered design can harness state-of-the-art technology to liberate people who are otherwise likely to be trapped by their physical disabilities. It is a great privilege, as the designers involved with Lomak, to be included in this important exhibition.”

User Guides and typing tutorials now available online

An updated version of the User Guide for both Lomak and Notesai keyboards is now available online. The User Guide can be accessed through our Support page or directly through clicking this User Guide link.

 In addition, we now have typing tutorials for both the Lomak and Notesai, which contain a variety of exercises aimed at helping the beginner increase their typing speed and also the comfort and ease with which they can use their keyboard. These tutorials may be accessed through the Support page, through the "Getting started - Training aids" section of the User Guide, or by clicking these links to the Lomak Typing Tutorial or the Notesai Typing Tutorial.

We recommend that you save the appropriate tutorial to your own computer so that you can retain your work as you progress through the exercises. At any point you can return to our website and download a further clean copy should you require one.

We welcome feedback on all of these online documents as we endeavour to improve our service and support of our users. If you have comments please send them to feedback@opdo.com.

Lomak wins major global design award

The Lomak keyboard has won New Zealand design company peterhaythornthwaite//creativelab 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 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.

 "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."

Notesai breakthrough for people with Cerebral Palsy

Full story will be here soon.