Cybathlon 2016

Cybathlon 2016 - The world's first-ever Bionic Olympics organized by ETH Zurich

Technologists and developers from 25 countries partnered with 'pilots'(the disable athletes) to show off the connection between the cutting-edge assistive technology and disable. Over 70 inventions were found in brain-controlled computer interfaces, powered exoskeletons, bionic arms, robotic legs, and supercharged wheelchairs, are built from the technology of electronics, robot-technology, sensor and etc. that aims to assist disable to overcome day-to-day practical challenges.

We, B-Free In City, partner with City University of Hong Kong (on the tablet control project) participated in the Power Wheelchair Race. The race restricted not to use external device to operate the unit implies that pilot has to control the unit on him own without any support from the team during race, so the victory is highly depending on functionality, practical and agility.

Powered Wheelchair Race contains 6 tasks which are the struggles often faced by wheelchair users:-
(1) Drive close to a table in such a way that the thighs of the pilot fit below the table top;
(2) Perform a slalom, course around poles;
(3) Drive on a slope of 20 degree, open the door, pass through and close it;
(4) Drive over uneven terrain such as cobblestones;
(5) Dive over tilted path;
(6) Travel up and down 3 stairs.

Our pilot, Mr. Zenegger, completed all tasks in 5 minutes 58 second and showcased a relatively safe and reliable ways to travel up-and-down the stairs such that the fifth place was secured with faith.

Speed is always a victory determinable element in race. Unlike those competition-oriented unit, B-Free Ranger as a commercialized product has to safeguard a high level of safety, reliability, agility and functionality. What we have to comply is to bring convenience to daily life of disables and the capability of stair climbing safely, again this competition has proved the safety and easy operation of B-Free Ranger.

After the competition, we had exchange with other teams. The worthy opponent Team Scewo(SUI) from ETH Zurich and local people had a ride on B-Free Ranger on local stairs. Both of them had never tried B-Free Ranger were impressed by its well-functioning stairs climbing capability.

# About Cybathlon 2016     # HKSTP Newsletter     # Cybathlon Videos

The Spirit of HK Awards 2016

Our founder Mr. Lee Siu Lun Alan was honored Innovating for Good Award (Given to unsung heroes behind breakthrough technologies or innovation for the good of society).

The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards is an annual campaign of the South China Morning Post (SCMP) for celebrating the achievements of truly remarkable people who might otherwise be off the radar. We champion the achievements of real people in our home of Hong Kong. People that make us proud to call ourselves Hongkongers. - SCMP

In the award ceremony, Alan delivered an impressive speech, "The spirit of Hong Kong in my childhood time was to strive for everything by our own hands and neglect all the resistance. Such spirit has extended to the R&D of B-Free Chair. I never copy but to design and manufacturing from scratch. I open to opinions because they contribute to the enhancement on functions and design……Before devoting to stair climbing wheelchair, I was a toy designer who very emphasized on the sale volume and earning. Those values in those days are no longer important to me. Now users come first and I desire my product can serve the users safely and comfortably." Congratulation to Alan and the award is encouraging and driving him and his team to preserve and grow the spirit of Hong Kong.

# About The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards 2016     # Inventor's stair-climbing wheelchair set to conquer obstacles for Hong Kong's disabled by SCMP (2016-05-31)    
# Promotion Clip

Meeting with National People's Congress Standing Committee Chairman

During the three-day inspection tour to Hong Kong, National People's Congress Standing Committee Chairman Zhang Dejiang stopped by Hong Kong Science Technology Park to learn about Hong Kong's work in innovation and technology. Upon his arrival, Alan and 4 founders of local innovation and technology start-up companies presented their products to Mr. Zhang. He appreciated the unique functions of seat elevating and stairs climbing of B-Free Ranger and surprised by Alan's innovative inventions.

Having said that Mr. Zhang was astonished and praised our invention very much, he advised Alan had to make the control and operation more convenience in the aspect of elderly and disable users. Product follow-up, improvements, safety, reliability and agility levels were the suggested areas that could work on. Mr. Zhang expressed his high expectation towards the project and even encouraged the mass production in China to reduce the cost. Result in a more popular of rehabilitation and elderly products as well as a warm present to parents due to the growth of aging population. The suggestions by Mr. Zhang would definitely lay a profound impact on the future development of our invention and our company.

# Zhang Dejiang visits Science Park by News.gov.hk (2016-05-18)"     # footage from CNC Asia-Pacific Channel (Segment 5:17 - 6:00)    

Graduating from HKSTP's 3-Years Incu-Tech Incubation Program

Today is the 2016 graduation ceremony of HKSTP Incubation Programs for 48 start-ups.

We together with other new graduates, armed with our product commercialization outcomes, have already started to make our mark in the market, promoting a new, revolutionary lifestyle and serving different retail and corporate clients. The areas of expertise covered by this year's graduates include: information technology services, game and program design, e-commerce and logistics, education and learning, as well as green technology solutions. Not only local developments, but there are also graduates who, leveraging their team's strengths, business model and creative ideas, were successful in attracting investment for overseas expansion. For example, our company have secured a purchase order from a Swiss manufacturer for "B-Free Ranger" – a wheelchair designed to create for individuals with disabilities a world without obstacles – after winning the gold award at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva. We cannot get there without hard work throughout the three long years. Wish us all the best and keep on going!

# Video Clip @100most    

Most Valuable Services Awards in Hong Kong 2016

B-Free Tech. Ltd. has won the "Most Valuable Services Awards 2016" in "Hong Kong's Most Valuable Companies Awards 2016" presented by Mediazone Group.

Mediazone Group is a well-known business magazine publisher and hosts Hong Kong's biggest annual business awards called the Hong Kong's Most Valuable Companies Awards since 2011. It is also the so-called "The Academy Awards" in business due to its scale and recognition. Before finalize the candidate enterprise with superior contribution, the judging panel inspect a corporate from various aspects such as corporate social responsibility, innovation in product/service, contribution to Hong Kong and China. As a startup, B-Free is very honorable to be awarded with other well-known local and international companies. The award has placed a strong word of mouth on our brand's trust, reliability and recognition which are well-matched with other awarded companies on the list. The award is pushing us forward, and in our pursuit of greater product and service to our customers.

# About "Hong Kong's Most Valuable Companies Awards 2016"     # Article about B-Free by Mediazone     # Awards Video by Mediazone