White Horse Village residents instrumental in the development of an innovative mobility device

White Horse Village announces a new innovative program featuring Zeen^®, a unique mobility assistive device developed by Exokinetics, Inc. of West Chester, Pa. Several White Horse Village residents participated in a trial program to evaluate the new device and provide feedback on performance and functionality.

The product concept for the Zeen originated at White Horse Village, where the mother of Exokinetics’s CEO, Garret Brown, resided. “I observed how challenging walkers and wheelchairs are to maneuver. In search of a dignified alternative, I began working on the Zeen mobility device,” comments Brown. 

“Our residents have been very interested in participating in the Zeen device trial,” remarks Tonya Costley-Stilts, Director of Resident Life. “They received extensive training from Exokinetics staff and were tasked to evaluate specific features of the Zeen to provide final feedback on the design.”

The lightweight, folding Zeen uses proprietary lifting and caster technology to help users get around with confidence. Neither a walker nor a wheelchair, the Zeen effortlessly moves to standing, walking and ‘barstool’ heights and gently lowers to become a comfortable chair. People with reduced mobility can get back on their feet and even transition to coasting, or ‘Zeen-ing,’ while the saddle/seat-belt combo keeps their weight stabilized and centered.

Exokinetics’s partnership with White Horse Village began in 2013 and has been instrumental to the Zeen development process. Residents began testing early prototypes in 2015 and offered valuable feedback to improve the design. The pre-production model of the Zeen arrived on campus this year for resident evaluation and testing.