TMF Supports EPPUR to Make Essential Mobility Solutions More Accessible to Manual Wheelchair Users in France

MAY 27, 2026

The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) welcomes a major milestone for accessible mobility in France, as DREEFT®, an innovative dynamic braking system for manual wheelchairs, has been officially approved for 100% reimbursement under the French national health system.

As of 28 April 2026, following an order published in the Journal Officiel de la République Française, DREEFT® will be listed under Title IV of the List of Reimbursable Medical Devices and Services (Article L-165-1 of the French Social Security Code), ensuring nationwide access for eligible users.

Improving safety and confidence in everyday wheelchair use

Designed to integrate directly into a manual wheelchair, the DREEFT braking system provides intuitive, permanent braking assistance in everyday situations where control and stability are critical. The device is intended to reduce the physical effort required to slow down or stop, particularly on slopes, uneven surfaces or during repeated braking actions, while allowing users to maintain full control of their movement.

By addressing situations where braking can otherwise be physically demanding or inconsistent, the solution aims to support greater autonomy, confidence and outdoor mobility, while helping to reduce risks associated with uncontrolled rolling or fatigue.

Clinically validated impact on safety, autonomy and daily life

The clinical study demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefits in real-world conditions, including:

• Safer downhill mobility
  • +76% increase in user satisfaction
  • +44% increase in sense of achievement, transforming one of the most critical daily situations into a safer, more controlled experience
• Improved control on cross-slopes and cambered surfaces
  • +79% increase in user satisfaction
  • +42% improvement in driving performance, resulting in smoother and more stable maneuvering on uneven urban terrain
• Greater participation in everyday activities
  • Clinically significant improvement measured with the Canadian Measure of Occupational Performance (COPM)
  • Satisfaction scores increased from 1 to 6.2 (p = 0.0003), confirming a strong impact on users’ ability to achieve priority daily goals such as outdoor travel, accessing public spaces and managing slopes independently

The study also highlighted tangible behavioral and adoption outcomes:

• 42% of participants who previously wore gloves stopped using them, reflecting reduced friction and strain on the hands during braking
• 71% of participants expressed the intention to continue using DREEFT® after the study, indicating strong acceptance and perceived functional benefit

Recognition of public health value

In its opinion published on 9 December 2025, the French National Authority for Health (Haute Autorité de Santé – HAS), via the National Commission for the Evaluation of Medical Devices and Health Technologies (CNEDiMTS), awarded DREEFT® an Improvement in Medical Benefit (ASA) Level III.

The assessment highlighted:

• The public health interest of DREEFT®, given the severity of the disability it aims to compensate
• Its key role in disability compensation strategies for manual wheelchair users who require intermittent or permanent braking assistance
• Its contribution to greater independence, maintained physical activity, and improved daily mobility safety

"It's a historic step forward for all manual wheelchair users. This marks a major turning point in making mobility aids accessible to wheelchair users and recognizes the validity of our vision: braking in a wheelchair should no longer be an option.” said Colin Gallois, CEO of EPPUR.

Toyota Mobility Foundation’s role

The Toyota Mobility Foundation is proud to have supported the DREEFT® project as part of its commitment to enabling inclusive, human-centred mobility, alongside committed partners and acknowledges the essential contributions of the clinical research teams at Centre Mutualiste de Kerpape, CEREMH and CoWork’HIT, whose expertise was instrumental in achieving this milestone.

“Access to mobility is about much more than transport—it is about independence, safety and opportunity in daily life,” said Andy Fuchs, Program General manager at Toyota Mobility Foundation. “By supporting projects like this with EPPUR, we aim to help remove practical barriers that people face every day and enable solutions that truly make a difference.”

The reimbursement decision marks a turning point for access to essential mobility support in France and reinforces a conviction shared by TMF and its partners: braking in a manual wheelchair should never be optional. This innovation could well change the lives of the 400,000 French people who use wheelchairs.

Looking ahead, Toyota Mobility Foundation will continue working alongside EPPUR and Motion Composites, the device’s distribution partner in France, to support awareness, trials and access for users nationwide.

About the Toyota Mobility Foundation

The Toyota Mobility Foundation (Chair Akio Toyoda, hereafter referred to as “TMF”) was established in August 2014 by the Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) to support the development of a more mobile society in which everyone can move freely. The Foundation underscores Toyota’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and respect for people. It utilizes Toyota’s expertise and technologies to support strong mobility systems while eliminating disparities in mobility. TMF works in partnership with universities, governments, non-profits, research institutions and other organizations, creating programs that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address mobility issues around the world.

“TMF aims to create a truly mobile society that will help people live better lives no matter where they are,” said Chair Akio Toyoda.

About EPPUR

EPPUR was founded in 2020 by Colin GALLOIS (CEO) and Lancelot DURAND (CTO), two engineers from the UTC University of Technology of Compiègne (UTC) in France.

Today, it is a team of passionate individuals who share the same mission: to provide mobility and independence to wheelchair users.

The start-up already works with nearly 300 medical device distributors in France and internationally to make its DREEFT® & SKEED® wheelchair braking systems available.

More information: eppur.eu/en