Bestic - an eating assistive device

Bestic is an eating assistive device for people who can not eat on their own. With buttons or a joystick, the user decides what should be picked up from the plate. The product has been launched on the Swedish and European market and in the autumn of 2012 a clinical pilot study of the product was conducted at a chain of non-profit nursing homes in the United States.

Bestic has been developed with the user in focus. The person behind the initiative and owner of the technology, Sten Hemmingsson, is himself in need of such assistive technology for eating. Knowing what is important to the user means everything in development, especially when it concerns a product that is used in such close proximity to other people and in such a socially vital environment as the dining room. To be able to feed yourself is something most people take for granted. But for those who can not use their arms, a more advanced spoon is needed. This is a demand which Bestic meets. Occupational therapists in several counties around Sweden are now able to prescribe Bestic to their patients.

With control devices the user selects among the food on the plate. The eating robot picks it up from the plate to the mouth. Being able to go to a restaurant and eat without having to be fed by an assistant gives new integrity and joy for people who can not eat on their own. Bestic works in pre-programmed patterns and the user controls both settings and the operating cycle with five buttons or a joystick. It weighs only 2.3 kg and can conveniently be brought to a restaurant or when invited over to friends for dinner.

In 2012, the size of the organization at Bestic has doubled, to now include a test engineer, marketing manager and head of international sales, as well as a three person national sales organization. So far, 40 Bestic have been sold and the forecast for 2012 is for the sale of an additional 30 devices. Big customer orders are being considered, especially in Denmark, and the company has distributors in six countries. The European market, which consists of end users, occupational therapists and patient organizations, is currently under development. Moreover, a clinical pilot study, which is evaluating Bestic for the U.S. market, is currently being conducted through the Good Samaritan Society’s chain of 240 non-profit nursing homes.

Robotdalen has contributed with funding and contacts to Bestic’s organization, as well as media exposure in connection to the product launch.