Academische werkplaats Affect-us

What Academische werkplaats Affect-us does

Academische werkplaats Affect-us is a Dutch academic collaboration center (academische werkplaats) that develops methods and resources to improve social relationships and attachment in people with visual and/or intellectual disabilities. It operates as a partnership between Stichting Bartiméus, Ons Tweede Thuis, Odion, and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, with an endowed chair (Bijzonder Hoogleraar) held by Prof. Paula Sterkenburg and funded by Stichting Bartiméus and Bartiméus Fonds. The center translates practice-based questions into applied research across four research lines — prevention, identifying behavior, promoting social relationships, and restoring disturbed relationships — with 80% of research questions originating from its care-network partners.

The center's output is a portfolio of ICT applications, serious games, observation instruments, social robotics, VR training, and publications. Core products include the Bioresponse System (smart sock + Flower app) for physiological monitoring, the EMB Pain app (machine-learning-based pain detection), Robot Bart (social robot for relaxation exercises), serious games such as Jij & Ik and Broedels, the Aansluiten & Stimuleren app, the EMB & ICT Toolkit, and a VR mentalization-training program (Simon VR). It also produces books, dissertations, and peer-reviewed publications. Technically, the center combines human-centered design, sensor/physiological monitoring, and light machine-learning applications tailored to non-verbal or low-communication populations.

Affect-us is not a commercial entity: it is grant-funded (primarily by ZonMw, the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development), with additional support from the Bartiméus Fonds and partner organizations. Knowledge products are distributed free of charge via partner networks and embedded into the curricula of Dutch vocational and academic institutions through postdocs, PhDs, and scientist-practitioners. The organization functions as a research-practice bridge rather than a commercial vendor, with team of 20+ researchers, postdocs, PhD candidates, and support staff.

Name

Academische werkplaats Affect-us

Legal name

Academische werkplaats Affect-us

Website

https://affect-us.nl

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Academische werkplaats Affect-us is a Dutch academic collaboration center that develops evidence-based ICT tools, serious games, and research to improve social relationships and attachment for people with visual and/or intellectual disabilities, funded by ZonMw grants and partner care organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Care Research and Knowledge Products

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAFAKAJ

Special Needs Skill-Building & Therapy Learning Apps (Autism, OT/PT, Life Skills)

Education/Education Technology (EdTech) & Digital Learning/Accessibility, Assistive Technology & Special Needs EdTech

SECONDARYEDACAFAL

Assistive Technology & AAC for Young Children

Education/Early Childhood Education/Early Intervention & Developmental Services (0–5)

SECONDARYEDAKAIAA

Assistive Technology (AT) Evaluations & Needs Assessments

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Assistive Technology (AT) Assessment, Devices & Training

SECONDARYEDAGAMAC

Assistive Technology-Enabled Instructional Content (AAC, Switch, Eye-Gaze Compatible)

Education/Educational Publishing & Learning Content/Instructional Materials for Special Education

SECONDARYEDAMADAL

Assistive, Biomedical & Human-Centered Engineering Programs

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Robotics, Engineering & Makerspaces

SECONDARYEDAFAKAH

Assistive Input & Mobility Access (Alternative Keyboards/Mice, Switch Access, Eye Gaze)

Education/Education Technology (EdTech) & Digital Learning/Accessibility, Assistive Technology & Special Needs EdTech

Keywords

• Disability care research
• Social attachment interventions
• Serious games healthcare
• Applied academic research
• Caregiver training tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Zeist

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Subsidies: Funded by ZonMw (Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development) and other research funding bodies. The organization conducts applied research translating practice questions into research projects and implementing results back into practice.
2. Knowledge Product Development: Develops knowledge products (books, games, apps, toolkits) that are distributed through partner organizations and made freely available or through institutional channels
3. Educational Services: Integrates research knowledge into educational curricula of Dutch educational organizations through postdoc employees, PhDs, and scientist-practitioners providing education

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Affect-us is an academic collaboration center that develops evidence-based methods, ICT applications (serious games, mobile apps, observation tools, VR and robotics), and publications to improve social relationships and attachment for people with visual and/or intellectual disabilities. It translates practice-based questions into research projects and implements findings back into practice through partner care organizations, educational institutions, and Dutch educational curricula.

Product overview

Affect-us is an academic collaboration center that develops theoretically grounded and practice-oriented applications focused on social relationships and attachment for people with visual and/or intellectual disabilities. The portfolio consists of multiple digital tools and physical products: ICT applications including the Bioresponse system (smart sock + Flower app) and EMB Pijn app for physiological monitoring; serious games like De Wereld van Empa, Jij & Ik, and Broedels for mentalizing and stress regulation training; mobile apps (Hi Sense apps, Aansluiten & Stimuleren app, HiSense Taxi app) for various disability support contexts; VR programs for caregiver training; and publications including books, dissertations, and scientific publications. The core offering connects research findings to practical tools for caregivers, families, and people with disabilities themselves.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bioresponse systeem (Slimme sok + Flower app) A physiological monitoring system consisting of a smart sock that measures skin conductance (sweat levels) to detect emotional arousal in people with visual and severe/profound intellectual disabilities, paired with a mobile app that visualizes emotional states through a growing/shrinking flower animation. Aimed at caregivers of people with visual and severe/profound intellectual disabilities.
• EMB Pijn app A mobile application that uses machine learning trained on smart sock physiological data to detect and warn caregivers about potential pain in people with severe/profound intellectual disabilities who cannot verbally communicate pain.
• De Wereld van Empa (Serious Game) A serious game that teaches caregivers and parents of children with disabilities about sensitive and empathic responding through interactive scenarios with a virtual family, providing feedback on empathy scores.
• EMB Hi Sense app A mobile app designed to increase sensitivity toward people with severe/profound intellectual disabilities (EMB), helping them gain more self-determination through better caregiver responsiveness.
• Hi Sense app MVB + LVB A mobile app aimed at increasing sensitivity toward people with moderate intellectual disability (MVB) or mild intellectual disability (LVB), helping caregivers better understand and respond to their needs.
• Serious game Jij & Ik A serious game for adults with mild intellectual disability (IQ 50-85, 18+) that teaches mentalizing skills and stress regulation through interactive gameplay, developed co-creatively with experiential experts.
• Brussengame Broedels A serious game for siblings (brussen) of children aged 6-9 with visual and/or intellectual disabilities, helping them understand and cope with emotions related to having a sibling with a disability through 8 levels of gameplay.
• Aansluiten & Stimuleren app A mobile application and checklist to help parents and caregivers recognize behavioral signals and stress in people with severe/profound intellectual disabilities and respond appropriately to support emotion regulation.
• EMB & ICT Toolkit A toolkit providing practical guidance for parents and relatives of children with severe/profound intellectual disabilities to make the world more accessible using technology.
• HiSense Taxi app A mobile learning application for taxi drivers to improve their understanding of and service for people with intellectual disabilities, using statements, practical examples, and questions with daily feedback.
• Robot Bart A social robot used for guided mindfulness and relaxation exercises with people with visual and/or intellectual disabilities, with free downloadable software for care organizations.
• Mentaliseren in een virtuele wereld (VR) A virtual reality group session program for future caregivers of people with visual and/or intellectual disabilities that simulates mentalizing scenarios with a virtual character named Simon to train mentalizing attitudes.
• Google Home voor mensen met een beperking A digital voice assistant integration (Google Home with custom 'Praat met Bartim\u00e9us' function) deployed in residential settings to support autonomy and social interaction for people with visual and intellectual disabilities.
• SEFA Observation Instrument Scale for Emotional Functioning and Attunement - an observation instrument for assessing emotional functioning of people with severe disabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Caregivers using A&S checklist showed increased sensitivity, better responsiveness, and warmer contact with clients
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature12 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Stichting BartiméuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBartiméus is a founding partner of Affect-us, providing care for people with visual impairments. They co-fund the academic chair and participate in research projects. Jointly develop knowledge products including books and ICT tools.
• Ons Tweede ThuiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOns Tweede Thuis provides care for people with intellectual disabilities and is a founding partner of Affect-us. Participates in research projects, provides research sites, and helps implement findings in practice.
• OdioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOdion provides care for people with intellectual disabilities and serves as a founding partner. Contributes to research projects and co-develops interventions and tools.
• Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVU Amsterdam hosts the academic chair (Bijzonder Hoogleraar) held by Prof. Paula Sterkenburg. Provides academic infrastructure, supervises PhD research, and enables publication through university research portals.
• Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e)supportingTechnology or IntegrationCollaborates on technology development including Robot Bart research and Bioresponse System. TU/e contributes technical expertise in robotics and sensor technology.
• VisiosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational expertise center for the blind and visually impaired. Collaborates on research projects including Robot Bart study and other visual impairment-related research.
• MetropolisfilmsupportingTechnology or IntegrationProduction company that develops serious games for Affect-us including Jij & Ik and Broodels. Creates accessible digital content for people with disabilities.
• ROC AmsterdamsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational education institution collaborating on VR research for mentalization training. Students participate in research projects as part of hybrid learning workshops.
• Hogeschool van AmsterdamsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Applied Sciences collaborating on multiple research projects including Aansluiten & Stimuleren app development and Samen de Goede Zorg Geven project.
• SEINsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpertise center for epilepsy and sleep disorders. Collaborates on Family Involvement in Residential Care research for children with epilepsy and intellectual disability.
• KempenhaeghesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpertise center for epilepsy. Partner in Family Involvement research project studying children with epilepsy and intellectual disability in residential care.
• Wilhelmina Kinderziekenhuis (WKZ)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of UMC Utrecht. Collaborates on JNCL research project for supporting families of children with Juvenile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis.
• Protestantse Theologische UniversiteitsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProtestant Theological University collaborates on Ageing research project examining impact of aging on people with visual and intellectual disabilities.
• New York University Abu DhabisupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partner collaborating on BRUG research project (stress regulation for unique families) alongside VU Amsterdam.
• Academische Werkplaats ViveonsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of four academic workplaces collaborating on Digital Visit (Digitaal op Bezoek) research examining digital contact impact during COVID-19.
• Academische Werkplaats Leven met een Verstandelijke BeperkingsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic workplace collaborating on Digital Visit research project studying digital communication for people with intellectual disabilities.
• Academische Werkplaats EMBsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic workplace for Severe Multiple Disabilities collaborating on Digital Visit research examining impact of digital contact on people with disabilities.
• NIVELsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetherlands Institute for Health Services Research collaborates on Digital Visit research project examining digital contact during COVID-19.
• RegiorijderminorOthersCollaboration of taxi companies in Haarlemmermeer region that initiated and co-funded HiSense Taxi app research project.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bartiméus: Founder and core partner of Affect-us; provides care for people with visual impairments and is the most directly comparable Dutch organization operating in the same target population and co-developing tools and research.
• Ons Tweede Thuis: Founder partner of Affect-us; Dutch care provider for people with intellectual disabilities participating in research and implementation, directly comparable in service population and disability-care focus.
• Visio: National Dutch expertise center for blind and visually impaired people; a Supporting research partner of Affect-us on Robot Bart and visual-impairment projects, operating in the same client population.
• Academische Werkplaats Viveon: One of the four collaborating academic workplaces on the Digital Visit project; a structurally similar Dutch academic collaboration center in the disability-care research ecosystem.
• SEIN: Dutch expertise center for epilepsy and sleep disorders; partner on the Family Involvement project for children with epilepsy and intellectual disability, overlapping significantly in client population and applied clinical research.
• Academische Werkplaats EMB: Dutch academic workplace focused on severe multiple disabilities (EMB); collaborated with Affect-us on the Digital Visit project and addresses a closely overlapping research and practice population.
• Academische Werkplaats Leven met een verstandelijke Beperking: Dutch academic workplace studying life with intellectual disability; collaborating partner on Digital Visit research and a peer in the same academic-workplace ecosystem serving the same population.

Others

• Limbs & Things: Producer of simulation-based training tools for healthcare professionals; an adjacent training-and-education peer in that Affect-us also delivers caregiver and student training products (VR, serious games), but without direct product overlap.

Broad incumbents

• Tobii Dynavox: Global leader in assistive communication technology and AAC devices; operates in the same disability-technology space as Affect-us's ICT tools but at much larger scale and as an incumbent commercial vendor rather than a research collaboration center.

Emerging players

• AssistiveWare: Provider of AAC and special-needs apps (e.g., Proloquo); comparable in delivering consumer-facing digital tools for people with intellectual disabilities, though primarily commercial and AAC-focused versus Affect-us's research-driven attachment/social-relationship niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AWAffectus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/academische-werkplaats-affect-us

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Academische werkplaats Affect-us