Prototype 3 Under ConstructionWheelchairA startup project to develop a stair-climbing wheelchair based on the concept of the star wheel.Check out how you can use this to navigate stairs.Inclusion in Innovation
Technology that overcomes barriers in everyday life and enables people to lead self-determined lives
Our mission
Could you invite a wheelchair user to your home?
After a moment's thought, most people realize that a small flight of stairs or a door that's too narrow can be an obstacle, and you'll have to answer this question with "No".
Autak is a non-profit association working to make life a little easier for people with particular needs. We are students from very different fields and we are building mobility that leaves nobody behind.
With your help we can raise awareness for more than 140 million wheelchair users worldwide and support them with what we develop. 100% of the profits go back into development.
Three pillars
How we take barriers down
Technology alone is not enough. We work on hardware, on software and on minds at the same time.
Hardware
Tools and Equipment for Everyday Life
Inspired by those affected, we develop object-based solutions to make life easier.
Software
Apps and Websites
Digital tools that find accessible routes and make knowledge available to everyone.
Awareness
Speaking and Understanding
Campaigns, events, and social media posts that highlight barriers—even for those who aren't directly affected by them.
The current Autak prototype: a black wheelchair with a pink Autak logo and several small wheels per side that make climbing stairs possible.
Our prototype
A wheel that turns stairs into just another stretch of road
We design mobility, and the field of application has no fixed limit: the next generation of the wheel could sit under a wheelchair, a pram or a hospital bed.
- Takes stairs, steps and kerbs
- Raises the seating position to eye level
- Developed openly, funded as a non-profit
Glimpses
From the workshop and from the street
Pictures from Aachen: test drives, events and the people behind them.
Press
Autak on “Einfach genial”
The MDR science programme visited our prototype and showed how the wheelchair takes stairs.
More coverage
- CYBATHLONAssistive technology in competition2024
- MDR — Einfach genialScience programme on the stair-climbing wheelchair2023
- ARD MediathekFeature on mobility and participation in Aachen2023
- UpdateDeutschlandPrototype in the nationwide innovation programme2021
MDR “Einfach genial” on the Autak wheelchair
MDR — 2023
YouTube videos load only after you click. Short workshop clips start muted when they scroll into view.
Projects
What we are working on
From the mechanics to the app, every project starts with our team in Aachen.
- Prototype 3 Under ConstructionWheelchairA startup project to develop a stair-climbing wheelchair based on the concept of the star wheel.Check out how you can use this to navigate stairs.
Freely availableConnieWheelchair and rolling suitcase at the same time? Is that even possible?The luggage hitch that clips onto a wheelchair in a few moves
Tested in AachenBusBuddy AppThe app that can show you which bus to take.Barrier-free from A to B
OngoingCampañas informativasThrough videos, images and text we put inclusion into everyone's head.Questioning what counts as normal
Several times a yearEventsWheelchair laser tag, panel discussions and excursions: inclusion you can take part in.See how people come together
Event
Prototype completes CYBATHLON
The CYBATHLON is an international competition for assistive technology. We travel to Zurich and successfully complete the wheelchair course with our latest prototype.
Product
BusBuddy tested on real bus routes
With support from the StädteRegion Aachen we tested the app on real bus routes. Red means the wrong bus, green the right one — and it worked straight away.
Product
Connie is now called Arnie
Help-24 has bought Connie for €10,000 and will start distributing it, making it available to many more people soon. Connie is also now called Arnie.
Supporters
Our fantastic supporters
Get involved
Nobody takes barriers down alone
It is feedback from the community that lets us remove barriers for real. Come along, whether you want to solder, program or organise.
Become a member
Join the association and support the work for the long run.
Go to the membership formOnline meeting
Open hybrid meetings, in person and online: Mondays at 17:00 and Thursdays at 18:15. Just drop in.
Join the online meetingDonate
100% of your donation goes to accessibility.
Donate via PayPalOr by bank transfer
- Account holder
- Autak e.V.
- Bank
- Deutsche Skatbank
- IBAN
- DE76 8306 5408 0004 2950 99
- BIC
- GENODEF1SLR