WendyDrive patient lift with electric drive assistance reduces physical strain in healthcare

About United Care & Direct Healthcare Group

United Care, part of the Direct Healthcare Group, develops innovative healthcare solutions that support caregivers during daily patient transfers. One of their best-known solutions is the Wendy patient lift: a compact, rotating passive lift that can be used safely and efficiently, even in small spaces.

With the introduction of the WendyDrive patient lift with electric drive assistance, this solution has been further enhanced with a strong focus on ergonomics and ergonomic work environments in healthcare.

Challenge: reducing physical strain when using patient lifts

In the healthcare sector, physical strain caused by pushing and pulling is a common issue. Moving a patient lift often requires more force than allowed under occupational health and safety guidelines.

This can lead to:

an increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries
fatigue and reduced productivity
decreased long-term employability of healthcare staff

Although the Wendy patient lift is known for being user-friendly and easy to maneuver, there are still situations in which moving the lift can be physically demanding. Especially during patient transfers, where full attention to the patient is essential, this creates a significant challenge.

Solution: WendyDrive with esense drive wheel and intelligent drive assistance

To reduce physical strain in healthcare, United Care/DHG partnered with esense. The result is the WendyDrive, a patient lift with integrated electric drive assistance.

The esense 360 drive wheel is at the core of this innovation. Thanks to an intelligent force sensor integrated into the push handle:

the lift detects how the user pushes or pulls
the system automatically adjusts speed and direction
the patient lift moves intuitively together with the caregiver

Key Benefits of the WendyDrive

Electric drive assistance significantly reduces physical strain
Intuitive operation without complex buttons or extensive training
Smooth and controlled movements, even in confined spaces
Ergo-feedback system helps prevent overexertion through visual signals

The integrated feedback system helps caregivers stay within ergonomic guidelines and encourages conscious use of force during operation.

More about WendyDrive and United Care

Results: proven reduction in physical strain and healthier working conditions

The collaboration between Direct Healthcare Group/United Care and esense extended beyond product development alone. The esense healthy working approach was fully integrated into the project. This approach consists of:

Analyse: measuring actual push and pull forces using the esense Ergometer
Improve: implementing the WendyDrive to reduce physical strain
Evaluate: verifying compliance with occupational health and safety standards

Practical results:

significant reduction in physical strain
increased awareness among healthcare professionals
improved long-term employability
greater focus on patient care instead of physical effort

Conclusion: from physical strain to healthy working in healthcare

The WendyDrive patient lift with esense drive wheel demonstrates how smart technology can directly contribute to ergonomic working conditions in healthcare. By combining electric drive assistance with measurement and feedback systems, the solution not only makes work physically easier, but also structurally helps prevent physical strain.

From heavy work to healthy working, that is the power of WendyDrive with esense.

Get in touch

Cindy Ribbers

Account manager