Companies Develop Innovative Solution to Help Empower People with Disabilities and Improve Quality of Life

LAS VEGAS, NV, Sept. 8, 2015 – AT&T* and Permobil have developed a trailblazing proof of concept solution that wirelessly connects wheelchairs to increase user independence and freedom. The connected wheelchair concept uses AT&T’s Internet of Things (IoT) technology so that the chair can be easily monitored for comfort, performance, maintenance requirements and location. The companies will unveil the connected wheelchair concept at tomorrow’s CTIA Super Mobility 2015, in Las Vegas, NV.

The solution, being developed and tested at the AT&T Foundry for IoT innovation, allows users to access data that impacts their everyday life. The data, that can be remotely accessed in the highly secure cloud and shared with caregivers, fleet technicians and clinicians, can be used to improve the users’ health.

This innovative and inspired solution monitors most key aspects of the wheelchair including:

Seating Position and Cushion Pressure : Users will know if their ROHO** seat cushion pressure is out of range which can lead to life-threatening pressure ulcers. The solution complements Permobil’s Virtual Seating Coach, an app and cloud service that presents seating system information and tracks if users are following recommended seat function regimens.

Battery Level and Predictive Maintenance Requirements : Manufacturers/Dealers will know when a chair needs to be serviced by remotely accessing error codes. This enables single-trip service visits.

GPS Location and Fleet Management : Manufacturers/Dealers can quickly and efficiently schedule demos and appointments. Caregivers gain greater peace of mind.

“The connected wheelchair is a great example of how the AT&T Foundry can quickly collaborate with a customer on a proof of concept to bring connectivity and intelligence to a new range of devices,” said Mike Troiano, Vice President AT&T Industrial IoT Solutions. “We’re using innovative technology to solve real-world problems and, in this case, potentially improve quality of life.”

The connected wheelchair uses AT&T IoT technology that includes a Global SIM, AT&T Control Center and developer solutions like M2X and AT&T Flow Designer. It’s an example of how the AT&T Foundry can deliver cutting-edge solutions for customers in a very short amount of time.

For over 45 years, Permobil has led the complex rehabilitation power wheelchairs industry. Permobil products offer people with disabilities the opportunity to lead active, independent lives. The connected wheelchair shows how Permobil strives to develop products that strengthen their users' ability to control and interact with their surroundings.

“Our ‘Guiding Star,’ when developing any product, comes directly from company founder, Dr. Per Udden, who has stated that every person with a disability has the right to have his or her handicap compensated as far as possible by aids with the same technical standard as those we all use in our everyday lives,” said Olof Hedin, Permobil Chief Information Officer. “Permobil’s collaboration with the AT&T Foundry is the epitome of how to bring today’s technology into the complex rehabilitation arena to benefit users, clinicians and stakeholders.”

Both companies pride themselves on developing breakthrough solutions using leading technologies. AT&T and Permobil will continue to enhance the connected wheelchair concept and add services like access to home controls and remote monitoring to increase user independence and freedom.

For more information on AT&T IoT Solutions, visit http://www.att.com/iot.

For more information on Permobil Wheelchair Products, visit http://www.permobil.com.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

**ROHO and Permobil joined together in 2015 to evolve Permobil's Corpus 3G positioning cushion to feature an optional ROHO insert for added comfort, support, and skin protection.

About Permobil

Since being founded in Sweden in 1967, Permobil has been committed to enhancing the lives of people with physical disabilities. Permobil has since become the global leader in manufacturing power wheelchairs, sold across 40 countries. In 2015 Permobil acquired The ROHO Group, Inc., the global leader in skin protection and positioning solutions for wheelchair users, marking the next important step in Permobil’s strategy to become a leading healthcare company, providing innovative advanced rehabilitation solutions for people with disabilities. Focused on the complex rehab segment, every wheelchair is built to order and custom-fit to meet the unique medical needs of each individual. Permobil is headquartered in Timrå, Sweden and has approximately 1,000 employees. For more information please visit [www.permobil.com. ****