Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 11
Small Markets in Assistive Technology:
Obstacles and Opportunities
Jaimie F. Borisoff
Abstract
While the inherently small market for assistive technology (AT)
can be a significant hurdle in the development of AT solutions, small mar-
kets can also provide opportunities to foster technology innovation under the
right circumstances. Focusing on the wheelchair industry, I summarize the
numerous obstacles that small companies face in trying to address small AT
markets, as well as the range of opportunities available to assist small com-
panies in their efforts to impact the quality of life of those with disabilities.
Indeed, small market AT may be a perfect fit for the growing field of “small
batch” manufacturing in combination with motivated individuals suddenly
empowered by a host of new technologies. I close with a brief discussion of
future possibilities for AT in small markets.
Assistive technology (AT) has seen great progress over the past half century,
creating significant positive impact to overall quality of life for many people.
However, that most obvious form of AT, the wheelchair, provides some muted
historical perspective [
4
]:
The wheelchair has, for most of its history, been a design that segregated instead of
integrated.
An almost complete lack of innovation over several decades contributed to this
situation. One reason for the disappointing performance by the wheelchair
industry was the monopoly enjoyed by Everest and Jennings Inc. (E & J),
which had up to 90% of the manual wheelchair market share until 1978 [
9
].
Perhaps the simple lack of competition never created the forces necessary
for innovation in wheelchair technology. A US Government antitrust suit was
