Treye Tech

Treye Tech, also known as Treye IT, is a German company operating in the accessibility technology market. It focuses on developing software solutions that enable hands-free interaction with computers and mobile devices. The company was officially founded in Mannheim in 2017 by Anton Wachner and Sophia Kramer. The founding was preceded by an early conceptual win in 2016 at the Be.Projekt Award, a startup competition hosted by the consulting firm BearingPoint, where Wachner and four classmates presented the initial idea.

The inspiration for Treye Tech stems directly from the personal experiences of co-founder Anton Wachner, a business informatics graduate from the University of Mannheim who has a severe physical disability. His journey to solve the challenges he and others face in using standard technology, like smartphones and computers, is the core of the company's mission. This personal insight is reflected in the user experience of their products. Co-founder Sophia Kramer holds a Master of Science in computer visualistics and leads software development and system integration. The team's expertise also covers project and innovation management, controlling, and investment planning.

Treye Tech's flagship product is the "FourWays" software, a patented system that allows users to control a cursor and execute commands through head and eye movements. This technology works with standard webcams and front-facing cameras, eliminating the need for specialized external hardware. A key feature is its method for avoiding unintentional clicks, a common issue in similar technologies, by requiring a confirmation gesture. The primary clients are individuals with significant physical limitations, such as those with severe spasticity or conditions like Parkinson's, who find using conventional input devices difficult or impossible. The business model involves selling the software, with costs often being covered by health insurance companies in Germany. The company also collaborates with care facilities to continuously refine the software based on user feedback.

Since its inception, Treye Tech has achieved several milestones. In 2020, it secured pre-seed funding from the state of Baden-Württemberg and the city of Mannheim. The FourWays input aid was officially launched in 2022. In 2023, the company was recognized for its solution in computer-assisted communication for patients and joined DATEurope, a European association for providers of digital aids. A significant achievement occurred in 2024 when Wachner pitched the company on the German television show "Die Höhle der Löwen" (Germany's version of Shark Tank), securing an investment from Carsten Maschmeyer. Keywords: assistive technology, accessibility software, hands-free control, eye tracking, gesture recognition, head-mounted control, disability tech, computer accessibility, user interface technology, human-computer interaction, adaptive technology, FourWays software, Anton Wachner, digital inclusion, patient communication, assistive devices, mobility impairment solutions, contactless interaction, gaze-based control, accessibility aids