The 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas has showcased a range of new gadgets and innovations, but one in particular has captured significant attention. GyroGear, a company founded by doctor Faii Ong, presented a glove that aims to stabilize hand movements caused by Parkinson’s disease.
Ong and his colleagues have been working on the glove since 2016, inspired by their experience working in hospitals and witnessing the difficulties faced by patients with Parkinson’s disease. The product has been in development for years and was finally unveiled at CES 2024.
The technology behind the glove has been kept under wraps, but demonstration videos claim it can control up to 80% of body movements resulting from Parkinson’s. The glove utilizes a space-grade gyroscope and a structure manufactured by Foxconn, the same company that Apple uses for its computers. A motor compensates for involuntary movements and is attached to a breathable glove, powered by a lithium battery that provides four hours of continuous use.
The first batch of gloves to suppress Parkinson’s tremors will be available in the coming months, with pre-orders now open on the GyroGear website. However, the first version of the GyroGlove comes with a hefty price tag of $4,899.
It’s important to note that GyroGear does not advertise its product as a cure for Parkinson’s, but rather as the most advanced handheld stabilizer in the world. While it may not slow down the progression of the neurodegenerative disease, it aims to restore much of the control that is lost in essential activities, such as eating.
The product has also garnered interest from high-profile individuals, with Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, visiting the stand at CES to speak with the company’s founder. The innovation in this glove has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s disease.