INTRODUCING: RemmedVR – Winner of Category 2: Persons with visual impairment
Around 80 million people experience some form of disability in the EU, the European Parliament estimates this number will rise to 120 million by 2024. Persons with disabilities are at risk of various barriers to social and economic inclusion, which could hinder their active participation in society.
The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Agenda pledges that no one is left behind, including persons with disabilities. It reinforces the vital role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a barrier remover for persons with disabilities. Therefore, it is crucial to join efforts at an institutional and international level to identify and promote innovative solutions that leverage the opportunities of ICT to foster equal inclusion of all and bridge the digital divide, particularly for Persons with Disabilities, enabling them to participate in and benefit from the Information and Knowledge Society.
In 2021, ITU held the 3rd edition of the Regional Competition of Innovative Digital Solutions for Accessible Europe. This competition promotes the goals and objectives of ITU, as well as the SDGs, in the specific context of Europe. The competition aims at fostering the research and development of new digital solutions which seek to bring more social inclusion and interaction as well as comfort and quality of life to the daily routine of persons with disabilities, in line with SDG 10 (reduced inequality). Simultaneously, it aims at fostering the innovation ecosystem with a focus on ICT Accessibility, in line with SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure). From the call for the Regional Competition, we had received 97 submissions from 29 countries across Europe.
Maciej Szurek, Co-Founder and CEO of RemmedVR
This “Meet the Accessible Europe winners" series introduces 5 awarded winners of the Regional Competition for Accessible Europe which stepped up to develop innovative solutions that empower and make a meaningful impact for all people, in particular persons with disabilities. Maciej Szurek, Co-Founder and CEO of RemmedVR, shared more with us about RemmedVR's story and goals.
Could you tell us more about RemmedVR and how did the idea first come about?
The idea was born in 2016, when one of the investors suggested that our technological and business competencies should be transferred to another, previously undeveloped area, using VR. We were asked if it was possible to use VR goggles to treat eyesight, and we decided to take upon ourselves this challenge. After an in-depth analysis and mapping of the areas in which we can develop, as a result of cooperation with an external company, under our very detailed specification, the world's first medical VR goggles were created. For this project, we have created a 3-element system. The first element was the methodology consulted and developed with professors of pediatric ophthalmology such as prof. Prost, optometrists, and vision therapists. The second element was the software consisting of proprietary therapeutic exercises and a panel for the therapist, which could analyze the course of therapy and modify its parameters. The third element was equipment, i.e. specially designed VR goggles, which have medical certification, motion controllers, and a touch screen for qualified vision therapists to manage both in-office and home therapies. Sight rehabilitation using our VR glasses is the most modern method of treating strabismus, amblyopia and other problems of vision disabilities.
How does your solution impact the lives of persons with disabilities?
Our solution allows for vision rehabilitation under the remote, close supervision of a specialist without leaving your home. So far, the standard treatment required a personal visit to the optometrist for each session, which interfered greatly with the patient's daily plan. Another problem was the low availability of specialists in smaller cities. Now, thanks to RemmedVR, after consultation and diagnosis of disorders, the specialist adjusts the therapy, which using our VR goggles can take place at home while ensuring full remote supervision of the therapist and measuring the correctness of the exercises performed. The most important thing in the treatment of vision is regularity, which helps to quickly and more effectively recover from the visual impairment. Our home therapy allows for daily exercise at any time chosen by the patient, which was impossible in offices where you had to make an appointment and also take the time to travel. Thanks to our goggles, it is the patient who decides when to perform the therapy. An additional advantage of our therapy is medical games prepared by specialists, which are very engaging for children and effective. The traditional treatment so far, often difficult and incomprehensible for children, is now a pure pleasure, and patients willingly have VR therapy.
What aspects related to the human-centric approach would you like to highlight about RemmedVR?
Detected problems with vision or untreated too late result in serious problems with learning, coordination, lack of willingness to socialize, which can lead to low self-esteem, disability, and depression in adulthood. RemmedVR's mission is to equalize the development opportunities of children with visual impairments around the world.
RemmedVR goggles are designed to treat visual impairment in children. It is a technology that brings positive effects of rehabilitation through games. The application with integrated game-like exercises interests and engages patients of all ages. Therefore, the effects of the therapy can be visible surprisingly quickly.
What are your plans for 2021?
In January 2021, we are launching our sales in the United States which is the biggest market for Vision Therapy in the world. In 2021 we plan to join at least 60 private clinics in the US. We start with services that are paid out-of-pocket by patients at private clinics, yet our long-term strategic objective is to offer reimbursed healthcare services in both EU and the US. Remmed's short-term approach to rapid growth is to sell RemmedVR services directly to vision clinics, where traditional analogue eye therapy is already in place. Hence, therapists, patients, and procedures are already in there.
How can the international community help innovators like you in achieving further digital inclusion and accessibility?
If we build greater awareness of the importance of integration initiatives and how the international community has a huge impact on improving digital inclusion, then we, the innovators, will get an ideal field for development. Support from various EU programs, incubators, and start-up accelerators allows us to combat the lack of equal access to technology and information, regardless of health or place of residence. Thanks to such support, we are also able to make our innovative ideas a real product that facilitates or improves the quality of life. The more people understand that digital inclusion and accessibility are our mutual benefit, the faster innovators will improve our environment.
We will be working with the winners and finalists over the next months through the newly launched ITU-Zero Project Initiative, supporting innovators in various domains to leverage their full potential. Please refer to our website and social media channels for upcoming updates on our work. Learn more about the Regional Competition for Accessible Europe and check the shortlisted winners and finalists here: https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Regional-Presence/Europe/Pages/Events/2020/AE21/Regional-Competition.aspx.
