2025-08-12
Mt. Juliet, TN 12 August 2025
Sunrise Medical, a global leader in advanced assistive mobility solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its Voice Activation feature for Switch-It's CTRL+5 power seating control module, marking the industry's first voice-activated power seating system.
The new feature, now standard on all CTRL+5 modules, empowers power wheelchair riders to control their seating positions completely hands-free using simple voice commands. Designed for PG Drives R-net electronics, available on QUICKIE, ZIPPIE, and Magic Mobility power wheelchairs, this innovative technology offers unprecedented ease of use and greater independence for riders.
Seamless, Flexible Control – Now with Voice Activation
The CTRL+5 already provides intuitive access to power seating functions through push buttons and toggle switches, depending on the switch box chosen. With the new Voice Activation, riders can now tilt, recline, elevate their legs, and more, by simply saying "Hello Sunrise," followed by a command like "Sunrise 2" to move the preprogrammed seating functions.
Effective Positioning for Riders with Limited Dexterity
This innovation is not about convenience – it supports clinically recommended position changes, helping to promote pressure relief, circulation, and overall comfort throughout the day. This feature is particularly beneficial for people with limited dexterity or who have difficulty reaching their controller, which can often limit optimal seat function use. This is especially helpful for people using sip-and-puff, head arrays, or mini joysticks – such as those with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, or muscular dystrophy.
"We believe that everyone deserves full control over their comfort and health," said Bernd Krebs, Chief Technology Officer at Sunrise Medical. "Voice Activation on the CTRL+5 gives riders more autonomy in managing their posture and well-being, especially those who may have difficulty accessing their standard controls."
Easy to Use, Easy to Access
Voice activation is designed to feel simple and natural, just like popular virtual assistants. Traditional input options, such as buttons and toggles, remain fully available, giving riders the flexibility to choose what works best for them.
Voice control can be turned on or off at any time, and settings can be personalized by a dealer to match individual clinical needs. Best of all, no additional justification or funding approval is required.
Starting now, every chair ordered with the CTRL+5 option will include Voice Activation by default – no additional selection on the order form is required. You can tell you have the updated CTRL+5 by the newly designed switch box, featuring blue LEDs and numbered buttons.
About Sunrise Medical: Committed to improving people's lives, Sunrise Medical is a world leader in the development, design, manufacturing, and distribution of innovative, high-quality assistive mobility devices and services. Distributed in more than 130 countries under its own 18 proprietary brands, the key products include manual and power wheelchairs, power assist products, pediatric and geriatric therapeutic devices, mobility scooters, daily living aids, and more. Operating in 23 countries, Sunrise Medical Group is headquartered in Malsch, Germany and employs over 3,000 associates worldwide.