Havas launches Staybl, an app designed to help Parkinson’s patients interact with digital devices

“Parkinson’s Disease alone impacts six million adults globally, with a staggering 70% of those diagnosed experiencing tremors,” according to a statement from Havas. “In addition, there are millions of other people around the world who experience essential tremors – ranging from children to ex-professional athletes – who will benefit from this innovation.”

The app, which has been in the making for more than two years, was developed in partnership between the Havas New York and Havas Germany teams. The agency teams also partnered with the German Parkinson’s Association and patients in the US and Germany to optimize the product. It is free to download on the App Store and is currently only designed for iPads – Havas says that it’s working on plans to roll it out for other mobile devices in the future.

Staybl helps people suffering from tremors use smart devices and engage with digital experiences primarily by using “technology that simulates countermovement when a tablet’s browser is shaken, instantly moving in the opposite direction of a tremor,” according to Havas. Other features include the elimination of swipe-and-slide motions, vertically-arranged buttons, larger type and an interface that allows users to adjust the app’s settings according to the current severity of their tremors.

“We always talk about how technology should improve our lives, but we don’t naturally include everyone in those benefits,” Eric Schoeffler, chief creative officer, Havas Germany and ECD Europe, said in a statement. “Staybl is not a medicine, nor is it a cure. However, it’s a technological solution that can provide easier access to the digital world for all people with Parkinson’s and tremors.”

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