Open Door Robotics

05/21/2026

Why does automating a door matter?

It’s a question we’ve asked ourselves often — and one that ultimately shaped DOOR-E.

In this message, our Founder & COO, Wayne Newitts, shares the thinking behind DOOR-E and the principles that guided its development: unobtrusiveness, portability, and ease of use.

Because a closed door shouldn’t limit independence. 💙

We’re excited to share more soon.

05/19/2026

Why the new look?

Because assistive technology should feel like it belongs.

When something becomes part of everyday life, design matters. It should feel intuitive, comfortable, and genuinely at home in the spaces people move through every day.

Not clinical. Not intrusive.

We believe accessibility innovation can feel modern, seamless, and thoughtfully designed for real life.

Something you trust. Something that feels natural to have around. Maybe even something you’re proud to show off.

Because when technology becomes part of daily life, function matters.

But how it looks and feels matters, too. 💙

05/14/2026

We’ve been keeping a little secret. 💙

After countless iterations, conversations, and careful refinements, we’re so excited to finally share DOOR-E’s newest look.

For those who’ve been following along: thank you for your patience while we worked to get the details just right. Every decision has been intentional, and every refinement has helped shape what comes next.

And while there’s still more to come, this feels like an important moment:

DOOR-E is becoming what it was always meant to be.

Welcome to the next era.

05/13/2026

Some barriers aren’t dramatic.

They’re the small moments of friction that quietly repeat throughout everyday life.

Waiting for assistance. Repeated strain. Extra coordination and planning for something many people do without thinking.

Over time, those moments add up.

Thoughtful accessibility design means paying attention to the everyday experience—not only the big barriers, but the small ones too. 💙

05/12/2026

Good assistive technology doesn’t happen by accident.👀

It takes thoughtful engineering, intentional design, and people who care deeply about how technology actually feels to use—every single day.💙

The best technology doesn’t force people to adapt to it. It fits naturally into everyday life—from the spaces you call home to wherever life takes you.

Refining DOOR-E takes a team, and we’re grateful for the people at Very helping bring it to life.🤝

05/08/2026

Mobility devices are not “just equipment.”
They are independence. Autonomy. Safety. Freedom.

Accessibility tools are deeply personal—essential to how many people move through and experience the world on their terms.

That’s part of why we believe accessibility innovation matters so much. Not simply for convenience, but for greater independence, autonomy, and confidence in everyday life.

This post from Diverse Abilities says it beautifully.

Mobility devices, whether it is a wheelchair, scooter, walker, white cane, support cane, crutches, or a guide dog, are not “just equipment.” They represent freedom. They allow us to move through the world independently, simply navigating life differently than those who do not need mobility support.

These devices give us independence. They give us autonomy. They are an extension of who we are.

That is why respect matters. Please do not touch, grab, lean on, or move a mobility device without permission. Even unintentional damage can put our safety and independence at risk. Most mobility devices are customized to the individual using them, and repairs or replacements are rarely quick or simple.

A small moment of awareness and respect can make a lasting difference.

“Having a disability does not change who we are. It changes our interactions with the world.” Gina Martin

Our aDAPT programs are rooted in lived experience and IDEAL principles. Changing how disability is viewed and understood. Check out our programs and services 👇🏽

DiverseAbilities.ca

Photo description
Approximately 20 stick people are using different mobility aids that support different needs.

05/07/2026

What does it take to design for real life?

Thoughtful assistive technology considers more than function—it considers movement, feel, and how it integrates into the environments people move through every day.

The smallest details often shape the overall experience.

Because the goal isn’t just to build something that works reliably—
it’s to create something people genuinely want in their space.

05/06/2026

Independence isn’t one-size-fits-all.
That’s why DOOR-E is designed to adapt to its users—not the other way around.

From speed and timing to customizable door behavior, personalization isn’t a feature—
it’s essential to elevated independence.

Because optimized user experience looks different for everyone.💙

05/05/2026

Accessibility standards are essential—but they're only the starting point.

Great assistive technology supports dignity, autonomy, and ease in everyday life.

It should allow people to move through their own space, on their own terms—
with solutions designed with them in mind.

The best ones don’t call attention to themselves.
They simply make life smoother, quieter, and more independent.

04/30/2026

Spotlight on a DOOR-E designer: Scott Veltkamp

We’re excited to share that we’re working with Scott Veltkamp from Very as we enter the final design phase of DOOR-E.

From the start, DOOR-E has been about more than just function—it’s about creating something that fits naturally into everyday life.

We’re now refining how it looks, feels, and integrates seamlessly into the spaces people move through.

Grateful to be building alongside people who care deeply about getting it right. 💙

More to come soon.

04/29/2026

As April comes to a close, we want to recognize Paralyzed Veterans of America Awareness Month—and the veterans at the center of it.

The work being done to support veterans living with spinal cord injuries and disabilities is incredibly important—and continues to shape how we think about accessibility, and why this work matters.

As we continue to refine DOOR-E, we’re focused on supporting independence in a way that feels natural and reliable in everyday life.

Learn more about PVA at: https://pva.org