In the world of life-changing innovations, wheelchair technology rarely makes headlines—yet for one remarkable engineer, it became the cornerstone of a career dedicated to revolutionizing how we sit. In this episode of Lead with AI, I had the privilege of speaking with Tim Balz, CEO and co-founder of Kalogon, whose journey from high school tinkerer to AI pioneer reveals how machine learning is transforming seating technology for millions worldwide.

Tim's story begins with extraordinary compassion: as a teenager, he traded his own moped for a motorized wheelchair on Craigslist, modified it in his parents' garage, and gave it to a classmate who couldn't push his manual chair when carrying heavy loads. That single act of kindness launched a fifteen-year mission that's now helping wheelchair users, pilots, and travelers experience pain-free sitting—some for the first time in decades.

1. Real-Time Pressure Redistribution Prevents Tissue Damage  

The most revolutionary aspect of Kalogon's technology is how it fundamentally changes the relationship between the human body and the surfaces we sit on. Traditional cushions are static, forcing our bodies to adapt to them rather than the other way around. This represents a critical flaw in conventional seating design—an 80-pound person and a 400-pound person could never be properly supported by the same cushion configuration, yet that's exactly what traditional seating expects. Kalogon's breakthrough comes from flipping this paradigm: creating a cushion that actively adapts to each unique body.

At the heart of this innovation are networks of air cells—miniature bladders paired with pressure sensors that detect micro-variations in load distribution when someone sits down. These sensors create a detailed pressure map showing exactly how a person's weight is distributed across the surface. Machine learning algorithms then analyze this data in milliseconds, identifying potential pressure points that could lead to tissue damage. The system responds by dynamically adjusting each air cell, effectively redistributing pressure away from vulnerable areas before damage can occur.

This real-time adaptation continues throughout the sitting experience, responding to even subtle shifts in position. When a user leans forward to reach something or adjusts their posture, the cushion immediately recognizes these changes and reconfigures itself to maintain optimal pressure distribution. For wheelchair users who might spend 12-16 hours daily sitting, this continuous protection represents a paradigm shift in pressure injury prevention. Rather than relying on users to remember to shift position every 15-30 minutes (the standard medical advice that many find impossible to follow consistently), the cushion handles this protection automatically and invisibly.

2. Customized Support for Previously "Unhealable" Wounds  

Perhaps the most dramatic impact of Kalogon's technology comes from its ability to support healing for chronic pressure injuries that traditional medical interventions couldn't resolve. Tim shared the story of a user who had been confined to bed rest for two to three years due to a pressure injury that medical professionals had tried everything to heal without success. After switching to Kalogon's cushion, the wound completely healed within six months. This wasn't an isolated case—multiple users have experienced similar transformative outcomes with injuries that were previously considered treatment-resistant.

The key to this healing capability lies in the cushion's unprecedented level of customization. Through the companion app, users or their caregivers can mark specific areas with existing injuries or heightened sensitivity. The system then creates "protection zones" around these areas, dramatically reducing pressure at these precise locations while still maintaining proper support for the rest of the body. This targeted approach allows injured tissue to receive the blood flow and reduce mechanical stress needed for healing without requiring the user to remain bedridden.

For clinicians, this represents a groundbreaking tool that bridges a long-standing gap in pressure injury care. Traditionally, they've faced an impossible choice: keep patients upright and mobile at the risk of worsening injuries, or confine them to bed for healing at the cost of their independence and psychological well-being. Kalogon's technology offers a third path—one where healing and mobility can coexist. One physician reported that after their patient's wound completely healed using the cushion, they were able to resume normal activities, with one particularly emotional moment occurring when Tim encountered the former patient unexpectedly at a restaurant. "The progress is going so well that the doctor is letting me get out to go have lunch with my friends again," they explained—a simple activity that represents enormous recovery progress.

3. AI-Powered Learning That Adapts to Changing Bodies  

Unlike static medical devices that require frequent professional adjustments, Kalogon's cushions employ machine learning algorithms that continue to improve their performance over time. This adaptive intelligence creates a cushion that becomes increasingly personalized to each user's unique needs—not just their basic body shape, but how their condition changes throughout days, weeks, and months. For those with progressive conditions or fluctuating symptoms, this continuous adaptation provides unprecedented support.

The system begins with a brief calibration when a user first sits down, mapping relative pressure points and determining how much load rests on different areas. Machine learning algorithms then infer details about the user's body shape, posture, and weight distribution patterns. Over time, the cushion learns to recognize the user's specific sitting habits, anticipating when they typically shift position and how their pressure points change throughout the day. For users with progressive conditions, this means the cushion can adapt as their needs evolve, often detecting subtle changes before they become problematic.

This continuous learning extends beyond the individual user. With consent, anonymized data can be shared to refine Kalogon's AI models, improving performance for the entire user base. This collaborative approach means that insights gained from thousands of users help the system identify patterns and solutions that might not be apparent from individual cases alone. The result is a medical device that actually grows more effective with use—a radical departure from traditional assistive technology that typically degrades or becomes less suitable over time as users' conditions change.

4. Breaking the Pain-Immobility Cycle for Greater Independence  

One of the most transformative aspects of Kalogon's technology is how it breaks the vicious cycle that traps many wheelchair users: sitting causes pain, pain limits mobility, limited mobility reduces independence, and reduced independence diminishes quality of life. By addressing the root cause of this cycle—uncomfortable and unsuitable seating—Kalogon's cushions restore possibilities that many users had abandoned years or even decades ago.

Tim shared numerous stories that illustrate this impact, including one user who reported sitting without pain for the first time in 30 years. Another had given up on road trips to visit family due to the excruciating pressure sores that would develop during long drives. After switching to Kalogon's cushion, this grandmother was able to travel to her granddaughter's graduation—from driver's seat to commencement hall—without experiencing pain. These aren't merely comfort improvements; they represent the restoration of fundamental capabilities and relationships.

For many users, this newfound mobility translates directly into expanded life opportunities. When sitting becomes comfortable and sustainable, users can attend school or work consistently, participate in community events, and maintain social connections that are vital for mental health. One user who had been severely limited by pressure injuries was finally able to resume museum visits, navigate uneven sidewalks in their community, and spend entire school days in comfort. The ripple effects extend to families and caregivers as well, reducing their anxiety about pressure injuries and decreasing the time devoted to wound care and repositioning.

5. Cross-Industry Applications Creating Unexpected Benefits  

While Kalogon's technology was originally developed for wheelchair users, its applications have expanded far beyond this initial market, creating surprising benefits across diverse industries. Military pilots have reported improved endurance and focus during training flights, noting reduced fatigue and fewer "hot spots" during critical mission moments. This application demonstrates how addressing physical discomfort can enhance cognitive performance in high-stakes environments—potentially improving not just comfort but safety and effectiveness.

The travel industry represents another frontier where this technology is creating unexpected value. For airlines evaluating premium economy seat improvements, Kalogon's cushions offer a way to differentiate their product without the enormous space requirements and cost of lie-flat beds. Passengers on intercontinental flights could experience dramatically reduced stiffness and discomfort, arriving at their destinations more refreshed and productive. This application extends the technology's benefits to travelers who might never have considered themselves candidates for adaptive seating but who nevertheless suffer from the effects of prolonged sitting.

Looking toward 2030, Tim envisions Kalogon's technology woven into the fabric of how we travel, work, and live. As autonomous vehicles become more common and commutes potentially lengthen, smart cushions could ensure passengers arrive energized rather than sore. Office environments, esports arenas, and medical settings all represent additional applications where adaptive seating could transform experiences and outcomes. The core insight driving this expansion is remarkably simple yet profound: sitting is one of the most common human activities, and improving how we sit has cascading benefits across health, productivity, and quality of life.

Transform Your Sitting Experience Today  

Experiencing Kalogon's revolutionary technology doesn't require waiting for the future—it's available now through several pathways. For wheelchair users, the simplest approach is contacting your local Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), who can arrange a demonstration and help customize the solution to your specific needs. These certified professionals can be found through RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America), and they're equipped to guide you through the process of integrating Kalogon's cushions with your existing mobility equipment.

For those without an established ATP relationship, Kalogon provides direct support through their website and customer service team. By visiting Kalogon.com, you can:

• Submit a contact form to connect with knowledgeable representatives

• Find local dealers and ATPs in your area who distribute Kalogon products

• Learn about potential insurance coverage options

• Explore case studies from current users with similar needs

• Connect with a specialist who can answer specific questions about your situation

While Kalogon works primarily through B2B and B2B2C channels to ensure proper fitting and integration, they're committed to making their technology accessible to anyone who could benefit. Their team responds to inquiries within 24 hours, providing personalized guidance tailored to your specific circumstances and location. For those in the Melbourne, Florida area, you might even get a chance to visit their manufacturing facility where the cushions are produced just one wall away from the engineering team—and perhaps meet Tim himself.

The importance of proper seating cannot be overstated. Whether you're managing a chronic condition, recovering from an injury, or simply spending long hours seated for work or travel, the right cushion can make the difference between pain and comfort, between limitation and freedom. Through innovative applications of AI and sensor technology, Kalogon has transformed what we can expect from the surfaces we sit on, proving that even the most "ordinary" aspects of daily life can be revolutionized through thoughtful engineering and compassionate design.

Don't settle for discomfort or pain as the price of mobility or productivity. Explore how Kalogon's adaptive cushions can transform your sitting experience, potentially changing not just how you sit, but how you live.

Visit Kalogon.com today to take the first step toward experiencing the future of seating—a future where technology adapts to you, rather than the other way around.