Walking frames remained largely unchanged for decades, often awkward on slopes, unstable on rough terrain, and visually uninspiring while signaling frailty. Mobilate identified an opportunity to create a mobility aid that doubles as a statement of independence, confidence, and modern design, and partnered with Katapult. The design challenge required translating a mechanically complex concept into an intuitive, failsafe, cost-effective product that adapts to inclines, remains feather-light yet stable under load, and looks contemporary. Over 18 months, Katapult, engineering partner Kismet, and suppliers iterated through sketches, CAD, prototypes, and testing. The result is Roami, a device positioned as high-performance gear with standout features including a patented Cam Lock hub-less clutch mechanism.
For decades, walking frames have been a case study in stagnation. They've remained almost unchanged since their invention, functional, yes, but limited in how they adapt to real-world conditions. Traditional frames can be awkward to maneuver on slopes, unstable on rough terrain, and visually uninspiring. More importantly, they often carry a stigma, subtly signaling frailty rather than empowerment. US-based startup Mobilate saw this as a glaring opportunity.
They envisioned a mobility aid that wouldn't just serve as a walking assistant, but as a statement of independence, confidence, and modern design. To bring this vision to life, they partnered with design innovators Katapult. The project began with a crude but promising test rig from Mobilate. It demonstrated the core idea's potential, but also revealed a steep challenge: translating a mechanically complex concept into a device that was intuitive, failsafe, and cost-effective.
From day one, the Katapult team knew this wasn't just about engineering; it was about rethinking the user experience from the ground up. The goal was clear: a walker that could adjust to inclines and declines seamlessly, be feather-light yet incredibly stable under load, and maintain a price point that would make it accessible. And it had to look undeniably good, stripping away the outdated aesthetic associated with mobility aids.
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