From idea to solution: innovation, care, and independence with the bano turnable bed
Our latest innovation, the Bano Turnable Bed, is designed to provide comfort and independence for individuals while making daily life easier for caregivers and family members – reducing strain and minimizing heavy lifting.
To take a closer look at the process, we spoke with Vetle Ottersen, Director of Products, R&D, and Group Projects at Bano. We discussed his background, motivation, and, of course, the Bano Turnable Bed.
From technology development to care products
A bit about vetle and his background
Vetle (32) lives in Sandane, Vestland, with his partner, two children, and their dog – close to our factory. He has been with the Bano Group since 2020, responsible for product development, group projects, and IT solutions that improve processes across our companies.
Before that, he worked at Strukturplast, a former sister company of Bano, where he held roles in sales, project management, quality assurance, and development. His work included research and development of elastomers for the energy, maritime, and defense sectors.
Vetle holds a bachelor’s degree in Production Engineering from HVL and a master’s degree in Technology Management from NTNU. His broad technical and strategic expertise plays a key role in his work at Bano.
A personal motivation behind the work
What do you enjoy most about your job?
“Definitely the variety,” he answers.
“I get to work across multiple disciplines and collaborate with talented people from different backgrounds. It’s incredibly inspiring.”
Another major motivation for him is the desire to give people in need of care greater independence in their everyday life. This is something he has personally experienced – how challenging it can be when a loved one loses the ability to manage daily tasks alone.
“When I was a teenager, I had to help my mother go to the bathroom when she was ill. It was a painful experience for both of us. Looking back, I often think about how much easier her life – and our whole family’s – would have been with the assistive devices we’ve developed today. That realization drives me to create products that truly make a difference.”
The Bano turnable bed – freedom and dignity in everyday life
We recently developed the Bano Turnable Bed – but what makes it special?
“Getting out of bed should be simple, but for many elderly individuals and those with reduced mobility, it’s a daily struggle. It can lead to a loss of independence and place a significant burden on caregivers and family members. We wanted to find a solution!”
With the Bano Turnable Bed, users regain their freedom and dignity – while caregivers benefit from a safer and more manageable workday. The bed helps the user transition from lying down to a sitting position and can further assist them in standing up. It also adjusts in height by 50 cm and rotates 110 degrees in both directions.
Who is the bed designed for?
“It is designed for home care, nursing homes, and hospitals. We worked closely with users, caregivers, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists to ensure it is intuitive to use while also improving ergonomic conditions for caregivers,” Vetle explains.
We received excellent feedback throughout the development process, including statements such as:
“If I had this bed at home, I wouldn’t need to go to a nursing home for respite care.”
– Nursing home patient
“This bed has reduced my heavy lifting and made my job much easier.”
– Caregiver
From idea to finished product
Developing new products is a complex process that requires deep insight, expertise, and collaboration across multiple disciplines. Vetle has provided insight into the development of the Bano Turnable Bed, and we are proud to have such expertise within our company – allowing us to offer solutions that improve everyday life.
According to Vetle, similar beds existed on the market, but none met all the key requirements they identified. Previous solutions often lacked optimal functionality, necessary medical equipment documentation, or were too expensive. That’s why they decided to create their own.
The development process took 1.5 years and involved over 50 people. The team worked closely with healthcare professionals and received support from four leading subcontractors.
One of the biggest challenges was ensuring a stable and smooth rotation mechanism. After several prototypes, they found a solution that they chose to patent.
We also developed a specialized mattress that moves in sync with the bed while providing pressure relief. This required extensive analysis, mechanical testing, and clinical documentation. Although it was a long process, we successfully achieved pressure relief for stages 1–3 pressure ulcers.
Additionally, the bed had to meet strict international medical equipment standards. The team underwent a rigorous certification process to ensure the product complies with all relevant regulations.
The road ahead
“We have had great success developing functional products for both bathrooms and bedrooms, and moving forward, we will continue to refine these to ensure the best possible adaptation for users and caregivers,” says Vetle.
–We are constantly looking for new ways to improve the quality of life for people in need of care and their caregivers. This is just the beginning – Bano will continue to bring innovative solutions in the future.
If you’d like to explore our Bano concept further?