From Zimmer frame to Zeen – the mobility aid reimagined

Zimmer frames, rollators, tri-walkers – call them what you will, the humble walking frame makes life a little easier for many with impaired mobility.

However, while these simple, lightweight mobility aids offer more stability than crutches or a walking stick, they’ve barely evolved since they were invented here in the UK by William Robb in the 1940s. Until now.

Described as ‘a big comfortable saddle surrounded by four agile wheels’, the Zeen is a radical take on the traditional walking frame. It’s a new type of mobility aid that supports your full body weight from beneath, hands-free, so you can walk or coast with ease.

The Zeen caters to a wide range of mobility needs – photo c/o gozeen.com

The Zeen is the brainchild of British engineer and camera operator, Garrett Brown, who is best known for inventing the Steadicam – a clever counterbalanced harness that helps support the weight of film cameras. The two devices bear some similarities as the Zeen’s ‘saddle’ can effortlessly raise you up to standing, walking or ‘bar stool’ positions, and then gently lower you into a comfortable seat.​

‘Bar Stool Mode’ is how the creators of the Zeen describe come to a standing stop in the midst of a social gathering, putting your feet on the footrests, shifting back on the saddle and joining the crowd in conversation.

Traditional walking frames allow autonomy for many, but because your weight is behind the device, it can be trip hazard of its own should you lose your balance

Inspired by the earliest bicycles

The name ‘Zeen’ is a nod to the ‘Draisine’ — the pedal-less precursor to the modern bicycle invented by Baron von Drais in 1816. Riders of Draisines coasted along by striding on the ground, like a full-size version of the balance bikes that children use to learn to ride.

Wheelchairs, walking frames and the Zeen

Mobility scooters and wheelchairs are stable because their users are seated, and while everybody’s mobility aid requirements are different, the downside is they can reduce full-body exercise, which can ultimately cause muscles and bones decline faster. The Zeen also has the advantage of elevating it from waist height to standing eye-level with both hands free.

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