HELLMUT RUCK GmbH
For nearly 100 years, the family-owned Pforzheim company HELLMUT RUCK has developed and manufactured products and solutions for the foot care and cosmetics industries.
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MANUFACTURER
HELLMUT RUCK GmbH
Neuenbürg
hellmut-ruck.de
DESIGN
AYDTDESIGN
Pforzheim
aydtdesign.de
Designed for foot care professionals, the Nova Pro features a special cutter that precisely and hygienically removes calluses, nail growths, and warts. The machine delivers high suction power and is remarkably quiet in operation. A flexible suction hose connects to an ergonomic, rotatable handpiece containing a sterilisable chuck head and motor. Operation is via a large touch display, which is detachable and can therefore be positioned anywhere. The intuitive interface provides extensive personalisation options, including 30 user profiles, 30 favourite views, and support for 18 languages. The interface can also control other devices, such as the treatment table.
JURY STATEMENT
This device stands out for two key reasons: the elegant, well-designed housing and the premium touchscreen with its clear, intuitive interface. Plus, both the tool and hose have been thoughtfully designed with ergonomics in mind.
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Manuel Aydt, owner, AYDTDESIGN
At what stage of the project did you join the team as a designer?
MANUEL AYDT: The design and engineering teams at Nova Pro collaborated from the very beginning. Even in the pre-development phase, we didn't treat technical and functional issues in isolation, but as part of the design challenge itself. This has resulted in a technically sound product that is stylish as well as highly functional. The design process went beyond just the external form, leading to early solutions for challenges like assembly, cooling and integration. With Nova Pro, design wasn't an afterthought; it was an integral part of an interconnected, interdisciplinary development process.
Why did you choose to make the device's display removable?
MANUEL AYDT: Nova Pro was created to solve a common problem in podiatry practices, where a variety of devices – such as a foot care device, a treatment table, or lighting – have to be controlled separately via their own interfaces. Our goal was to centralise control of these devices, making them more intuitive and, ideally, adaptable to the user's movements during treatment. The Nova Pro's display is removable so that it can be integrated directly into ROOM move treatment furniture. Today, this concept, known as NovaConnect, marks a significant step towards a more ergonomic and integrated workspace.
You're using a touch display – isn't tactile feedback necessary for a touch display?
MANUEL AYDT: In a medical environment where hygiene is paramount, all surfaces can be a source of cross-contamination. So, the Nova Pro's touch display had to allow for quick and easy cleaning with surface disinfectants after every treatment. We also wanted to create a user experience that reflects the Nova Pro's innovative status. The display therefore features multitouch capability and the kind of high-speed response we have come to expect from modern smart devices.
The user interface can also be personalised.
MANUEL AYDT: This is particularly important in a podiatry practice where multiple practitioners often work at the same time and share rooms. Thanks to the customisable operating menu, the NOVA Pro and the treatment table can be set to the same configuration next time the practitioner uses them, regardless of the room. This is because the profile is automatically transferred to all devices in the practice. This saves time, reduces errors and supports a smooth workflow.