Framerunning: moving without limits

Around 2.5 billion people benefit from assistive technology, yet for many it remains out of reach. That’s why THUAS, through the Framerunner project, collaborates with the Movendi Foundation and local partners in Tanzania to develop a concrete solution for people with mobility impairments. In Dar es Salaam, we develop framerunners in co-creation with a local workshop and a primary school. 

Within the Assistive Technology for All (AT4ALL) programme, the research groups Technology for Inclusive Movement and Sport and Healthcare Technology are committed to accessible and sustainable solutions. Researcher Jetske Brummer (Centre of Expertise Health Innovation) emphasises: “It’s very important to develop assistive devices that can be produced and maintained locally and that remain affordable.” 

Learning by doing 

For our students, this is not just a design assignment, but a learning experience where education and practice come together. They work on real-world challenges and test their ideas in the intended context. “Seeing with their own eyes what actually happens makes all the difference”, Jetske explains. Owen Jennings (student Industrial Design Engineering) experienced this during his stay in Tanzania: “With a few adjustments, we realised the framerunner and the children absolutely loved it. Collaboration with the local workshop was essential in bringing the design to life.” 

From design to inclusive sport 

The experiences gained in the Netherlands proved highly valuable for the AT4ALL project. We discovered that, in addition to sport and physical activity, the framerunner can also be used in rehabilitation and education. Together with local sports organisations, we are exploring how to implement this in The Hague region. This not only increases accessibility, but also social impact. 

Framerunning is professionalising rapidly and will make its Paralympic debut at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. “People with disabilities face many physical and social barriers”, says Rinus van der Schoof (lecturer and researcher, Faculty of Health, Nutrition and Sport). “It is our role to actively lower those barriers and make sport as normal and accessible as possible.” 

Building impact together 

The ambition goes beyond this project alone. By sharing knowledge and collaborating with other educational institutions and partners such as Framerunning Netherlands, we are building a broader network in which inclusive technology is central. Rinus adds: “The foundation of framerunning is that people who have difficulty walking can still participate in sport and physical activity. That provides freedom and enjoyment. Contributing to that is what it’s ultimately all about.” 

More information 

We invite everyone who sees a role for themselves within the AT4ALL network or would like to contribute ideas for further development to contact Jetske and/or Rinus and help support this growing movement.