Wittekindshof Inclusion Project Wins igus ROIBOT Award for Affordable Automation
igus honors creative inclusion project with ROIBOT Award and $5,300 robot-based workstation for individuals with disabilities
April 15, 2025 – igus®, a global leader in motion plastics and automation solutions, has announced the winners of its latest ROIBOT Award, recognizing innovative and cost-effective automation projects using the company’s low-cost robotics. Among the winners is the Diakonische Stiftung Wittekindshof in Bad Oeynhausen, Germany, which developed a fully automated, disability-accessible workstation for just €4,970 ($5,300).
The project centers on Daniel Hillebrand, who lives with tetraspasticity, a condition that makes controlled movement of his limbs impossible. Despite this challenge, Hillebrand now works independently for several hours each day, operating a robot arm that sorts plastic components, using only his chin to maneuver a joystick.
“This new system gives Daniel the ability to contribute productively, which is deeply meaningful,” said Torsten Jeschke, electrician and instructor at the Wittekindshof workshops. “It’s as simple to use as a video game, yet it transforms lives.”
To achieve this, Jeschke relied on the RBTX low-cost robotics platform from igus. At the heart of the setup is the ReBeL® robot arm, an articulated arm made from high-performance plastic and available for €4,970 ($5,300). The platform was selected not only for its affordability but also for its intuitive interface and flexible design. For its creativity and real-world impact, the project received the top prize in the ROIBOT competition—an award that includes a €5,000 ($5,330) voucher for additional igus robotics hardware.
“This project touched us deeply,” said Jan Hennecke, Manager of the Low-Cost Automation and RBTX business unit at igus. “It’s a perfect example of how automation can directly improve lives, especially when designed with empathy and resourcefulness. We are proud to support this kind of forward-thinking inclusion.”
igus, a signatory of the German Engineering Federation’s Good Work Charter, is committed to leveraging robotics to enhance quality of life and workplace accessibility and improve industrial productivity.
Additional Award Winners:
Second Place: Paperfoam, a Dutch packaging manufacturer, was awarded €2,500 ($2,665) in robotics hardware for its quality assurance system using a ReBeL robot equipped with a vision sensor to inspect bio-based packaging.
Third Place: France’s Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) received €1,000 ($1,065) for developing a calibration device for an astroparticle physics telescope using maintenance-free igus linear guides.
Educational Award: The Politecnico di Milano in Italy also received €1,000 ($1,065) for building a mobile fruit-harvesting manipulator with the ReBeL robot arm.
“These projects prove that automation is no longer out of reach for small teams and organizations,” Hennecke added. “Smart design and cost-effective components make innovation accessible.”
For more information about the ROIBOT Award and the winning projects, visit: https://www.www.hansarobotics.com/automation/roibot-awards
