OBI 3 Frequently Asked Questions

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OBI 3 is an assistive robotic feeding device designed to help people with limited upper-extremity movement eat more independently. The user controls which food they want and when they want it delivered, helping restore greater choice, control, and independence at mealtime.

OBI 3 uses a robotic arm and spoon to move food from one of four sections of the plate to the user's mouth. Using adaptive switches, the individual can select the food they want and tell OBI when they are ready for the next bite.

The device can be programmed to position the spoon appropriately for the individual user.

OBI 3 may be appropriate for people who have difficulty independently moving food from their plate to their mouth because of limited arm or hand function.

Potential users may include individuals living with conditions such as:

• Parkinson's disease
• Essential tremor
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Cerebral palsy
• Muscular dystrophy
• Spinal cord injury
• Upper-extremity amputation
• Other neurological or physical conditions affecting upper-extremity movement

A diagnosis alone does not determine whether OBI is appropriate. The individual's abilities, needs, and safety should be considered when determining whether OBI is a good fit.

OBI users must be able to safely chew and swallow food without assistance and have sufficient cognitive ability to operate the device safely.

Users also need a reliable way to activate OBI's controls. OBI can accommodate different types and placements of accessibility switches based on the individual's abilities.

Not necessarily. OBI is designed to accommodate different methods of activation. Accessibility switches can be positioned so they can be activated using different parts of the body depending on the user's abilities. Certain alternative control methods, including compatible sip-and-puff interfaces, may also be used.

This flexibility allows OBI to be customized around the abilities of the individual rather than requiring a traditional hand-operated control.

No. OBI is designed to keep the user involved and in control of the meal.

The user chooses which food they want from the four food compartments and determines when they are ready for the next bite. OBI then provides the physical movement needed to bring the food to the user.

OBI can be used with a wide variety of appropriately prepared foods. Food may need to be cut, portioned, or prepared to work effectively with the device.

As with any eating assistance device, food consistency and preparation should be appropriate for the individual's chewing and swallowing abilities.

Yes. One of OBI's important features is its ability to be configured around the individual.

The delivery position of the spoon can be adjusted for the user, and accessibility switches can be selected and positioned according to the person's functional abilities.

Potentially. Some people living with Parkinson's disease may experience tremor, rigidity, weakness, or other movement limitations that make independent eating difficult.

For individuals who can no longer reliably bring food from the plate to their mouth, OBI may provide a higher level of assistance than traditional adaptive utensils or tremor-management solutions.

Because Parkinson's affects each person differently, an individual assessment is important.

Adaptive utensils are generally designed for people who can still perform the movement required to bring food to their mouth but need additional grip, stability, positioning, or control.

OBI is designed for individuals who need a greater level of assistance because they cannot reliably complete that movement independently.

Recovery Health Tech offers different levels of mealtime support and can help identify which type of solution may be most appropriate for an individual's abilities and goals.

GyroGlove is designed to help stabilize hand tremor while allowing the individual to continue using their own hand and arm to perform activities.

OBI 3 provides a different level of assistance. It performs the physical movement of bringing food from the plate to the user's mouth while allowing the user to control food selection and timing.

The appropriate technology depends on the individual's abilities and the specific challenge affecting independent eating.

OBI may significantly reduce the amount of hands-on feeding assistance required for an appropriate user, but individual needs vary.

Some users may still require assistance with meal preparation, positioning, setup, loading food onto the plate, or other aspects of mealtime.

The goal of OBI is to provide the individual with greater independence, choice, and control wherever possible.

Yes. OBI is rechargeable and designed to be portable, allowing it to be used in different environments when appropriately set up.

OBI's rechargeable battery is designed to provide approximately 3–4 hours of use per charge, depending on use.

OBI may be an appropriate independent eating solution for some Veterans with significant upper-extremity limitations.

Recovery Health Tech works with Veterans, caregivers, VA clinicians, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals to help determine whether OBI may be appropriate for an individual's needs.

Eligibility and funding are determined by the appropriate VA facility and clinical team.

Funding and coverage vary based on the individual's insurance, benefits, medical needs, and funding source. OBI has been obtained through a variety of funding pathways, but coverage should not be assumed.

Recovery Health Tech can help patients, families, and healthcare professionals understand available purchasing and potential funding pathways.

Contact Recovery Health Tech to discuss demonstration and evaluation options. Seeing OBI in operation can help patients, caregivers, and clinicians better understand whether the technology is appropriate for the individual's needs.

The best place to start is with a conversation about the individual's current abilities and mealtime challenges.

Recovery Health Tech can help patients, families, caregivers, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals determine whether OBI 3—or another independent eating solution—may be appropriate.

Recovery Health Tech is here to help.

Our goal isn't simply to provide technology. It's to help individuals and families find solutions that support greater independence in everyday life.

Contact Recovery Health Tech to learn more about OBI 3, discuss an individual's needs, or request a demonstration.