Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy the Vigo directly from NowTechnologies?
No. Unfortunately, we can’t help with setup and support, so we’re working with local dealers across 4 continents. Find your local dealer here or check Sunrise dealers near you. If you can’t find any dealer in your country drop us an email here and we’ll connect you with someone nearby.
Where can I buy the Vigo?
We have representatives in 20+ countries. Find your local dealer here or check your nearest Sunrise dealer. If you can’t find any dealer in your country drop us an email here and we’ll connect you with someone nearby.
Where is the Vigo being manufactured?
All of our products are being developed and manufactured in Europe, according to strict EU regulations.
What can I use the Vigo for?
We’ve developed the Vigo to allow users to drive their powered wheelchairs. It also allows the users to access the OMNI’s menu and change seating, profile, or speed settings. It works as a head mouse for computers and tablets, a Bluetooth headset for smartphones*, can control smart home applications through the tablet/computer and robotic arms (ie: Kinova’s Jaco arm) through the OMNI.
*Please note this will significantly shorten battery life.
What is included in the Vigo kit?
All necessary components for the drive and mouse mode are included in the Vigo kit.
What chairs is the Vigo compatible with?
The Vigo is compatible with PG’s OMNI, OMNI 2 and IOM Module, Invacare/Dynamic’s new Linx system, and Quantum‘s Q-Logic 3 EX Enhanced Display or SCIM Module. Any chairs with those modules can be controlled by the Vigo.
How long is the battery life?
The Vigo has up to 14 hours of battery life*. This means you can drive all day and have it put on the charger when you’re charging the chair at the end of the day.
*Please note using the Vigo as a headphone for smartphones via Bluetooth will significantly shorten battery life.
How can I charge it?
The Vigo has a micro USB port for charging. You can connect it to a wall plug, your wheelchair (if it has a USB port), a computer or a power bank.
Can I charge it on the go?
Technically yes. In practice we don’t recommend it though, since the cable can be disturbing while driving, or can get strangled and fall off.
Is the Vigo a good choice for me/my patient?
The Vigo has no age limit. The headband can be adjusted and we have users as young as 8, and some above the age of 80.
The Vigo could be the right choice for anyone who can’t use their hands properly, but has some movement and control of his head. Users must have minimal mobility of their head, no matter how small or asymmetrical (the sensitivity of the headset is customizable in all 4 directions by our free software).
Some examples include but are not limited to spinal injuries, tetraplegic people, ALS, muscular dystrophy, spinal nerve shrinkage, spinal atrophy
How does the Vigo connect to the chair?
The Vigo is using a Bluetooth connection.
How do I know if drive mode is active, or whether I’m in mouse or drive mode?
The Cubo screen displays all the necessary information.
How does the Vigo work?
The Vigo is a 4-way proportional headset that is using a gyroscope. It translates very tiny head movements for the chair.
What does proportional mean?
The bigger the head movement the faster the chair will drive.
How do I drive with the Vigo?
You can watch a tutorial about the drive basics here.
By tilting the head. Tilting forward – the chair will drive forward, tilting backwards – the chair will drive backwards, and the same is true for left and right movement.
Turning your head won’t affect driving, this way you can look around at the pedestrian crossing, without moving the chair.
How do I set the neutral position?
You can see it in this video. The headset calibrates neutral position every time someone activates it by tapping the Headrest sensor (or pressing the preferred external switch). There’s a 3-second* countdown before the drive mode becomes active, during this time you should hold your head still in the preferred position.
This way the user can calibrate a new neutral position for himself as many times as necessary during the day, without having to rely on the caretaker.
*The length of the calibration time can be adjusted in the software.
How do I re-set the neutral position?
Simply deactivate and activate the headset again.
How can I use it as a computer mouse?
You can watch the step by step tutorials explaining everything here. Simply download the Switch-It Vigo Mouse software from our website and plug in the USB dongle.
Is the Vigo safe?
The Vigo has been developed with several built-in safety features, and the users’ safety was our main priority when developing the product. We also have CE, TUV certificates, FDA approval and MDR compliance.
What happens if the user is having a seizure or faints?
The chair will stop moving immediately. If it was a false alarm the user can simply activate the drive mode again by tapping the Headrest sensor (or pressing the preferred external switch).
What happens if the headset falls off?
The chair will stop moving immediately. If it was a false alarm the user can simply activate the drive mode again by tapping the Headrest sensor (or pressing the preferred external switch).
Can I use another external switch or buddy button for the Vigo (instead of the Headrest Sensor)?
Yes. The Vigo works with any external switch that has a 3.5mm jack connection.
Can I turn off the Gesture Sensor?
Yes. The Gesture sensor can be turned on and off in the Switch-It Vigo Drive software by a professional. (Software is password protected for safety reasons, contact your local dealer to have it adjusted for you)
Please note this way you won’t be able to access the OMNI menu to change settings.
What certificates/documentation does the Vigo have?
The Vigo is FDA approved, has CE certificates (for all components), TÜV certificate and has MDR compliance.
Can I drive while resting my head on the Headrest sensor?
Some of our users are driving long distances while they’re resting their heads on the Headrest sensor, so in practice it’s possible, although we do not recommend it. If you want to do so we recommend setting up the Headrest sensor slightly on the side of the headrest, instead of the middle.
Can I mute the Link?
Yes, simply tap the LED touch interface and the calibration sound will be muted. You can turn the sound back on the same way.