Stair climber: Climbing the stairs on your own

With the help of the TOPRO Step stair climbing aid, he can now go up and down on his own. Previously, Peder (8) had to crawl up the stairs and could only go up and down the stairs to his bedroom at home with the help of his parents.
Bjørn Kollerud, Magazine “Handikapnytt” September 2019.


If you suffer from cerebral palsy and your walking function deteriorates as a result, it can be a challenge to have your bedroom on the second floor. Peder (8 1/2) could go up to his room, but had to crawl up the stairs and always needed help. The family wanted to change that. The parents began looking for a solution to make their son more independent in everyday life.

“We were looking for a solution to be able to climb the stairs independently, up and down, without additional help from us – if possible. We wanted him to develop independent skills even as his walking ability declined,” explains mother Hanne Therese Åsbø.

They finally found the solution after a long search on Facebook when they discovered the TOPRO Step stair climbing device. It is a new product developed in Norway, which at that time was mainly used in institutions. TOPRO Step is a kind of “stair walker” that can be mounted on both straight and winding stairs.

The concept consists of a wall-mounted rail, the patented locking mechanism, and an ergonomically shaped handle that is moved along the rail by the person affected.

The handrail can also be used as a support, allowing you to move up and down at the right pace with the help of your own muscle power.

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Very satisfied

The Åsbø family agreed to a trial run with the TOPRO Step stair climbing device, and was positively surprised.

“We applied for cost coverage and received a positive decision. The sales partner came to our home, measured the stairs, and shortly after installed the stair climbing device for us. It was very quick and easy,” emphasizes Hanne Therese.


Now Peder has been using the stair climbing device daily for two years.

“That is absolutely great. We are very satisfied with the solution and his physical development since he started using TOPRO Step,” Hanne Therese tells.

Peder geht die Treppe hoch und sieht glücklich aus

Grandparents as inspiration

The story behind TOPRO Step began with three civil engineering students at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim working on a project in 2012. They had seen how difficult it was for their grandparents to climb stairs and wanted to develop solutions that would make a difference.

“After looking at what was on the market, we decided to create something completely new. That’s how the work on what would become TOPRO Step began,” explains the entrepreneur Halvor Wold.

Entrepreneurial spirit

It was a long and exhausting process, but the obstacles must be overcome.

“You have to have the courage and ability to stay in the race. We raised money on the internet. In addition, investors, funds, NAV and NTNU contributed money. It is a long development process from the idea to the finished product. But now we have made it,” says Halvor Wold.

In 2015, the pilot introduction took place. The finished product was launched in Norway in 2016. The device is manufactured in Norway and distributed by Hepro AS.

“Fortunately, we have received approval from the NAV Resource Center, which could be a good solution for many. This means that TOPRO Step will be fully paid for by NAV. The agreement with NAV was absolutely crucial. The challenge is that it is difficult to decide on a product that does not yet exist and for which we did not have a price tag.

That’s why we had to refine and test everything, and for that we needed a sales partner,” explains the entrepreneur.

Great physical progress

“His core muscles, his motor skills, and his balance have improved. This is a positive additional factor that makes Peder’s everyday life easier.” – Hanne Therese, Peder’s mother

Halvor Wold and the rest of the team saw early opportunities to export the stair climbing device.

“We have patented the concept in the EU and the USA and actively work with our distribution partners to develop the markets. The development in the export market has been positive. This year, we have a turnover of between eight and ten million NOK and we now trade more abroad than in Norway,” he says.

At home with the Åsbø family, they were prepared for Peder to first get used to the TOPRO Step stair climbing device. But everyone was pleasantly surprised.

“He took to the technology very easily. After one day, he was confident and enjoyed using the stair climbing device so much that he took many additional rounds up and down,” happily tells Peder’s mother.

They also felt a physical effect after Peder used the device.

Peder and TOPRO Step

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