'Project Skywalker' brings together CU Anschutz, Thought Forward Design (Mobella), Pininfarina and the Center for Innovative Design & Engineering to modernize the senior mobility market and reduce the stigma of traditional walking aids
CU Anschutz Innovations announces Project Skywalker, an ambitious collaboration with Thought Forward Design (Mobella), Pininfarina, and the University of Colorado-based Center for Innovative Design & Engineering (CIDE) to develop a next‑generation walker, engineered specifically for older adults. As outdated mobility devices fail to meet the needs and expectations of today's aging population, Project Skywalker aims to deliver a modern alternative.
Project Skywalker aims to redefine mobility aids through an elevated design, improved usability and a modern aesthetic that appeals to users and enhances independence. Building on an existing collaboration between Mobella and global design and innovation firm Pininfarina (renowned for its work for brands like Ferrari, Coca-Cola and Maserati), CIDE is working to create a sleek product that delights its users and, when needed, can conveniently fold up to fit in tight spaces.
"Project Skywalker is more than a mobility device: it's a statement about what older adults deserve," said CIDE director Cathy Bodine, PhD. "This collaboration brings together the strengths of each organization, blending cutting‑edge inclusive design with real‑world engineering to create a walker that supports mobility, confidence and personal identity."
The collaboration recently reached a foundational milestone with CU Anschutz's acquisition of the core intellectual property for Skywalker from Thought Forward Design, establishing the technological and conceptual basis for Project Skywalker's development. Project Skywalker builds on a multi-year research collaboration between Mobella and CU Anschutz, which provided the foundation for this acquisition. This IP acquisition establishes a pathway toward future commercialization, with the goal of bringing the Skywalker to market for the millions of older adults who rely on mobility aids for safety and independence.
"At Pininfarina, we believe mobility solutions should be as empowering as they are functional. Our collaboration with Thought Forward Design reflects a shared vision to elevate assisted mobility through beauty, human-centered innovation, and advanced functionality," said Federico Francesconi, Senior Business Development & Brand Executive. "With Project Skywalker, we are bringing a new level of desirability and dignity to a category that has long been overlooked - creating a solution that not only meets critical user needs, but enhances confidence, independence and everyday life. We are equally honored that this shared vision has contributed to the University of Colorado Anschutz's acquisition of the core intellectual property for Skywalker from Thought Forward Design."
Project Skywalker addresses two critical needs in the senior mobility space:
- Ergonomic optimization: Designing the walker around posture, gait, grip strength, balance, and fatigue of users.
- Psychosocial impact: Reducing stigma by creating a mobility device that people want to use-stylish, confidence‑building and reflective of dignity and independence.
This dual approach is central to CIDE's mission to advance inclusive technologies and Mobella's commitment to designs that meaningfully improve people's lives.
"Skywalker grew out of our mission to create stylish, intuitive mobility products that empower people to live active, engaged lives," said Meryl Unger, co‑founder and CEO of Thought Forward Design, Inc., the company behind the Mobella mobility brand. "Older adults told us they wanted solutions that felt empowering rather than clinical - that's what inspired Skywalker. We are delighted to partner with CU Anschutz Innovations to advance Skywalker and bring this vision into real‑world impact."
CU Anschutz Innovations and CIDE will guide Skywalker through the next phase of prototype development, user validation and market readiness, laying the groundwork for future commercialization.
