Emelie: "Thank you so much for reaching out Bjoern! We’re really excited about the launch of the Paralympics-inspired designs, so it’s great to have the chance to share more about them.

To be honest, this collection started out more as a spontaneous project, driven by the excitement and energy we felt as the Games kicked off. It sparked the idea to translate that energy into a creative concept, a kind of tribute to everything the Paralympics stand for and all the incredible athletes competing.

Each of the three designs in this mini collection draws inspiration from different aspects of the Paris Games:

• The Medal is all about celebrating those triumphant moments of gold, silver and bronze on the podium.
• The Track is a nod to the iconic purple track at Stade de France where the Para-Athletic competitions were held and so many records were broken.
• The Flame represents the energy and determination of the athletes and inspired by the Paralympic flame that lights up the opening ceremony.

Although these designs started out purely as a conceptual study and creative expression from following the games, the response from the limb loss and limb difference community has been incredibly positive and we’ve had a lot of inquiries about making them available to the public. When we invited our followers to vote for their favorite design, the Medal took home the win, very closely followed by the Flame design.

So as a result of the interest from the community, I’m happy to say that the top-two designs are now available as part of our main collection. As for orders, yes, the first few are already coming in, and we couldn’t be more excited to see to see them out in the world with our users soon!"

Emelie: "Yes, in spring we launched our new 3D-scanning app available for iPhone and iPad!  Creating a completely tailored prosthetic cover starts with a detailed 3D scan of the prosthesis. The app was developed as a solution to the challenges that we know many prosthetic users and O&P clinics can face when it comes to accessing or using traditional 3D scanning equipment. These devices are often bulky, expensive, and can complicate the process of getting a good scan or even a scan at all. With the app, we wanted to make 3D scanning much more accessible, seamless, and mobile-friendly for our customers.

When ordering, customers can now choose between submitting a scan through our app or, as before, uploading scans taken with existing scanning equipment at clinics. Which option to choose is completely up to the preference of the customer.

The design and customization process that follows will still continue as we always have, with a close dialogue and direct contact with the customer to make sure their cover turns out just the way they imagined.

Since launching the app, the reception has been fantastic, with many of our users appreciating the convenience and ease of scanning on their own time. And on the clinic side, having access to a straightforward scanning tool right in their pocket and not needing to rely on bulky, complex and costly equipment. So we’re really happy about these first months since the launch and hope it can continue to be a helpful tool for our customers."

Emelie: "This is something we’ve had in our thoughts for a long time, and we’ve received many requests for it from prosthetic arm users over the years. Now, we've finally been able to start formalizing it. Showing the prototypes at OT World was a big step, and the response was incredibly encouraging.

Right now, we’re in the phase where we're testing with our first pilot users and refining the design to meet both the aesthetic standards and functional needs of users. One of the main challenges in this project is accommodating the variety of prosthesis shapes, sizes and components. That’s why, just like our leg covers, the arm covers will be tailored to each individual user.

Compared to leg covers though, arms generally have a lot less volume and space to work with, so it's important to find the right balance in the design. The cover should integrate seamlessly with the different components of the arm without adding too much bulk, while still fitting securely and remaining easy to use.

As for when you'll start seeing them out in the world, we're aiming for a wider launch towards the end of this year. Until then, we want to ensure everything is just right and has the thumbs-up from our pilot testers. We’re really looking forward to sharing the progress!"

Post by Bjoern Eser. Bjoern is the founder of and. shaker and maker behind The Active Amputee.