TOM: Melbourne

We create and build products that improve the lives of people with a disability, where there is no obvious or current solution in the market. We focus on making assistive technology more accessible and affordable for people with complex needs. We are part of a larger global TOM community of 63 communities in 21 countries. While we share the same mission, values and core business, we always consider the Australian context in how we go about our work. We work with people with a disability who have a specific need (‘need knowers’) and connect them with a diverse group of professionals, including engineers, industrial designers, health professionals and tradespeople (‘makers’). Together, they design and build products that solve a complex problem and improve the everyday life of the need knower. Recent prototypes include robotic arms, powered crutches, wheelchair wheel cleaners and bespoke exercise machines. The intellectual property for every product is then shared through open source digital files, so others can replicate or iterate it.