Bloomfield Hills Family’s Obi Eating Device R&D 100 Finalist

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI — A new device developed by a Bloomfield Hills father-and-son team that makes dining a more dignified affair for people with physical challenges that require them to rely on others to feed them is a finalist for an award known as the “Oscars of Innovation.”

Obi, a robotic dining device designed by Jon Dekar and his father, Tom Dekar, is a finalist in the market disruptor and scientific/medicine categories in the 2016 R&D 100 Awards to be presented in November. Sponsored by R&D Magazine, the awards have recognized the 100 best technologies of the year across a wide range of industries since 1963.

Obi, the first product from DESῙN, blends cutting-edge robotics, elegant design, intuitive controls and a friendly personality to give individuals who cannot use their arms and are fed by others the ability to take control of their meals at home and in public.

➤ Bloomfield Hills Father, Son Create Robotic Dining Device

“We are so thrilled to be included among the finalists for the R&D 100 Awards,” Jon Dekar, DESῙN’s co-founder, said in a statement. “My team and I have poured our heart and soul into making Obithe best dining campaign for those living with physical disabilities. Obi is more than just a product to us, it allows us to give someone a part of their independence back.”

Obi was also named a finalist in the 2016 International Design Excellence Awards earlier this year.

Obi leads a new generation of devices that take advantage of emerging small-scale and sophisticated robotic technology to deliver a meaningful lifestyle benefit to consumers. Supplied by a rechargeable battery, Obi holds enough energy to serve about nine meals on a single charge. Obi also fits within the confines of a dinner placemat, and can be carried with ease like a laptop computer.

The winners of the R&D 100 Awards will be announced in Oxon Hill, MD. in November.

Image: Courtesy photo