Revolutionizing Mobility: Abby’s Vision for Affordable, Smart Wheelchairs

I’m not a financial advisor; Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work. Devin: What is your superpower? John: The universe gave me a limp and experience and the ability to see the potential hiding in plain sight for this little niche of motorized vehicles. The global wheelchair industry has long been defined by inefficiencies and high costs, creating barriers for millions in need. John DeBenedette, CEO of Abby by GoGoTech, is on a mission to transform this landscape. Abby, a hybrid manual-power wheelchair, combines affordability with cutting-edge smart technology, offering a groundbreaking solution to a pressing global problem. John explains, “The difference between having a wheelchair and not having one is often the difference between being bedridden or on the floor somewhere. There’s no reason in 2024 that the first chair someone receives isn’t motorized.” Abby is designed to meet diverse needs, particularly in underdeveloped regions. Its lightweight, foldable structure ensures portability, while advanced safety features like sensor-driven obstacle detection make it adaptable to various environments. These features are critical in expanding access to mobility and autonomy for users across the globe. The innovation goes beyond the chair itself. Abby integrates cloud connectivity and app-based support, extending the reach of caregivers and families. “We created our own controller from a clean slate,” John shares. “This gives us the agility to implement sensor safety, connectivity, and more while maintaining a competitive cost.” John also highlights the economic and social impact of Abby’s mission. “By slashing the price of a basic power chair, we can make a huge difference. It shouldn’t take philanthropy to get these products into the hands of those who need them.” Currently, Abby is raising capital through an equity crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine. This opportunity aligns perfectly with impact investors looking to support transformative solutions to global challenges. John and his team invite everyone to join the movement, amplifying Abby’s reach and changing lives, one wheelchair at a time. tl;dr: * John DeBenedette created Abby, a smart wheelchair, to address global mobility challenges innovatively. * Today’s episode highlights Abby’s hybrid design, combining manual functionality with smart, cloud-based features. * John emphasizes affordability, aiming to disrupt the wheelchair industry’s scarcity model and high pricing. * Leveraging his software expertise, John built Abby’s first new wheelchair controller since the 1980s. * Abby’s crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine invites impact investors to support its transformative mission. How to Develop Transforming Limitations into Opportunity As a Superpower John DeBenedette’s superpower lies in his ability to transform personal limitations and experiences into innovative solutions. After experiencing a life-changing motorcycle accident and navigating the challenges of mobility impairment, John developed a unique perspective that enabled him to see untapped opportunities in assistive technology. This perspective, combined with his professional expertise in software development, allows him to reimagine possibilities in industries others may overlook. John’s journey to founding Abby began with his own rehabilitation process following his accident, which required him to use a wheelchair for nearly a year. Reflecting on the outdated technology and scarcity in the wheelchair industry, he realized the profound need for innovation. Leveraging his software background, John developed a proprietary wheelchair controller—the first new design since the 1980s—that integrates robotics and cloud connectivity. This groundbreaking achievement exemplifies how he turned personal and professional experiences into a transformative enterprise. Tips for Developing This Superpower: * Reframe Limitations as Opportunities: Reflect on challenges you’ve overcome and consider how they could inspire solutions or innovations. * Leverage Personal Experiences: Draw from your unique life experiences to identify gaps or unmet needs in the world. * Apply Professional Skills in New Ways: Use your career expertise to approach problems in unconventional industries or niches. * Adopt a Collaborative Approach: Build systems and processes that integrate diverse fields, like John’s combination of hardware and cloud computing. * Pursue Lifelong Learning: Stay curious and willing to explore areas outside your immediate expertise to enhance your problem-solving capabilities. By following John’s example and advice, you can make transforming limitations into opportunity a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world. Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you! Guest Profile John DEBENEDETTE (he/him): CEO, ABBY by GOGOTECH Inc. About ABBY by GOGOTECH Inc.: We believe everyone with reduced mobility should have access to safe, advanced, and affordable assistive technology, regardless of income or insurance. Our factory in Shenzhen has capacity for 300 units per month.  We ship FCL to a single US warehouse, where we centrally manage service, support, and order fulfillment.  We are a lean but uniquely qualified team with a shared passion to democratize powered mobility. Website: abbychair.com X/Twitter Handle: @ABBY_Gogotech Company Facebook Page: fb.com/abby.gogotech/ Other URL: startengine.com/offering/abby-by-gogotech Biographical Information: John is an experienced founder and a wheelchair user on/off himself since a 1985 accident.  Prior to ABBY, he was CTO and then Chief Commercial Officer at INTTRA.com, a container shipping SaaS platform (acquired by E2Open in 2018).  ABBY is his third startup, and the 2nd aiming to disrupt a huge but deeply flawed industry.  John leads a lean but uniquely qualified team that's mission-driven to democratize powered mobility, addressing the massive global unmet need for safe, advanced & affordable assistive mobility technology. YouTube: youtube.com/@abby4703 Personal Facebook Profile: fb.com/john.debenedette/ Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/johndebenedette Support Our Sponsors Our generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. 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