LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SMK Electronics, a division of SMK Corporation, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of remote controls and consumer electronics accessories, today announced that it will demonstrate a new video game-based Physical Therapy platform utilizing Gyration® Air Mouse® technologies during this week’s International CES14 (LVCC, booth #20200 South Hall-1).
Developed in coordination with the University of Manitoba, the new Tele-rehabilitation platform provides computer-aided physiotherapy for rehabilitation from arthritis, balance and gait disorders. Utilizing off-the-shelf computer games in conjunction with motion tracking supplied by Gyration® Air Mouse® technology, the new system aims at reducing costs while increasing the effectiveness of traditional physical rehabilitation therapy.
“As Americans live longer, they become increasingly vulnerable to the effects of a sedentary lifestyle including chronic disability resulting from cumulative illness,” said Dr. Tony Szturm, Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Manitoba. “It is estimated that more than 13 million individuals currently require significant assistance with physical activity in their daily lives.”
“Traditional and long term rehabilitation, however, is often cost-prohibitive, with clinic exercises that are tediously repetitive—both factors resulting in low patient adherence to prescribed regimens,” continued Dr. Szturm. “The goal of our Telerehabilitation platform is to allow patients to perform their physiotherapy exercises at home using ‘game based’ exercises —thereby reducing costs while increasing patient compliance and long term benefit from prescribed rehabilitation programs.”
“With annual physical rehabilitation expenditures topping $170 billion, and this number expected to mushroom over the next few decades, the market opportunity for a cost-effective home-based physical rehabilitation treatment platform is clear,” added Paul Evans, President SMK Electronics Corporation. “SMK is pleased to be partnering with the University of Manitoba to develop such a platform; and Gyration® Air Mouse® technology, utilizing Movea’s Smart Motion™, is ideal for this kind of application.”
About SMK Electronics
SMK Electronics is the U.S. division of SMK Corporation, a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of OEM remote controls, with global production of greater than 70 million units annually. With local Research & Development operations in San Diego, California, its factory in Tijuana, Mexico, and in coordination with its worldwide SMK R&D Centers and global factories, SMK Electronics is uniquely positioned to provide the Consumer Electronics industry with advanced remote control solutions that support rich media, interactive content and advanced television features. SMK Electronics, through its SMK-Link retail products division, develops and markets Gyration®-brand Air Mouse® products, worldwide. For more information, visit www.smkusa.com and http://www.smklink.com.
Gyration®, the Gyration logo and Air Mouse® are registered trademarks of SMK-Link Electronics. Smart Motion™ is a trademark of Movea, Sa. All other registrations and trademarks are properties of their respective owners.
