In a world driven by technology, Renee van Leeuwen and her husband, Menne Bos — founders of StemCom — have dedicated their lives to making a meaningful impact. Their mission? Empower individuals with disabilities to live more independently through smart home automation.
StemCom specializes in tailoring smart home solutions for people with various physical and cognitive challenges. With Renee’s expertise as an occupational therapist and her husband’s technical skills, they have built a company that blends innovation with compassion.
Where it all began
Renee van Leeuwen worked for over 15 years as an occupational therapist at a renowned institute. She was dedicated to improving the living environments of visually impaired individuals. Her passion for making life easier for those with disabilities led her to explore the potential of Internet communication technology. Inspired by its possibilities, StemCom was born.
Two decades ago, StemCom was an idea with a simple vision: use smart home technology to improve the lives of people with disabilities. While early attempts were limited by the lack of wireless connectivity, everything changed when the couple discovered Homey. As early adopters, they joined Homey’s Kickstarter campaign in 2015 and began integrating it into their projects.
One of their standout initiatives was a fully automated living room for a visually impaired teenager. It featured voice-controlled curtains, lights, kitchen appliances, and even vacuum cleaners. The project showcased how technology can simplify daily tasks while restoring independence and dignity. Today, StemCom provides similar solutions for people with various disabilities, tailoring each system to their unique needs.
Practical solutions that matter
StemCom relies on Homey Pro as the central hub for its projects. Its seamless connectivity with various smart home devices makes it an invaluable and versatile tool. While off-the-shelf devices often suffice, the company frequently develops custom solutions to meet specific client requirements.
One-button lighting system
StemCom used Homey to reconfigure the lighting system of a visually impaired man with dementia. They programmed a smart button connected to Homey to illuminate his entire apartment on demand. This solution helped him easily read his agenda and regain his independence, allowing him to walk to physical therapy on his own. Renee, who lives nearby, smiles every time she passes his brightly lit apartment.
Voice-controlled door access
StemCom worked with a man suffering from a degenerative nerve condition that severely limited his mobility. He was unable to walk or press physical buttons to operate devices. One of his biggest challenges was answering the door, as he couldn’t reach it in time or manage traditional locks. To solve this, StemCom used Homey to integrate a smart doorbell with an electric door opener. This allowed him to control the door remotely from his wheelchair or bed using voice commands or a mobile device. The setup ensured his safety by letting him verify visitors before opening the door.
Enhancing accessibility for wheelchair users
In another instance, a couple who were both wheelchair users required extensive home modifications. StemCom installed height-adjustable kitchen counters, voice-controlled door systems, and automated lighting systems, integrating them all with Homey. They also developed custom connectivity solutions for devices that lacked native integration, ensuring the couple could operate their home independently.
Facilitating better sleep
For a young boy experiencing sleep disruptions due to bright lights during nighttime bathroom visits, Stemcom used Homey to control low-lumen red lighting. This setup kept the light dim enough to prevent fully waking him, enabling him to return to bed and improve his sleep quality.
These examples highlight StemCom’s ability to address various needs, from basic automation to complex customizations. The company’s work doesn’t just simplify daily tasks — it restores dignity and empowers individuals to live independently.
The COM-BORD
As part of their commitment to creating personalized solutions, StemCom developed the COM-BORD — a device designed to reduce anxiety and provide stability for individuals with dementia or intellectual disabilities. Equipped with two easy-to-press buttons and a speaker, the COM-BORD answers frequently asked questions or provides reminders for tasks they may forget, like the day of the week or the location of their keys.
The board supports spoken messages with familiar images, photos, or text in customizable frames above the buttons. Clients hear pre-recorded messages in the voices of their loved ones or caregivers, adding a personal touch that fosters a sense of reassurance. The COM-BORD is intuitive and easy to operate, requiring no technical expertise to install or maintain.
The COM-BORD can be placed centrally in the home, such as a living room or hallway, ensuring it's easily accessible for users. It also features adjustable settings for volume, night mode, and presence detection. Optional rechargeable batteries allow the COM-BORD to function for up to two weeks without direct power. This combination of simplicity and functionality makes the COM-BORD an invaluable tool in StemCom’s work.
Empowering independence
For Renee and Menne, the real reward is seeing their clients regain control over their lives. Some even create their own Homey Flows, finding joy and fulfillment in shaping their environments to suit their needs.
One mother, for example, expressed her joy at seeing her blind son able to control the lights in his home. “It’s a small thing,” she said, “but for him, it’s life-changing.” For the first time, her son could manage the lights independently, no longer relying on others. This newfound independence brought tears of joy to his family.
Renee also recalled the joy of working with a child whose family struggled with nighttime routines. The creative use of personalized Flows enabled the child to complete his bedtime routine independently. The family described it as life-changing, as it boosted the child’s confidence while relieving his parents of an emotional burden.
These moments define StemCom’s essence: building solutions that restore freedom, autonomy, and dignity to people’s lives.
StemCom’s vision for the future
Looking ahead, Renee and Menne envision a world where accessibility features become a standard consideration in technology design. One of their key hopes is for Homey developers to create more accessible apps, such as enhancing iOS VoiceOver compatibility. She believes minor adjustments, such as improving focus integration in app design, can make a world of difference for users with visual impairments.
Another part of their vision involves integrating smart home technology into occupational therapy education. By equipping future therapists with the knowledge to use tools like Homey, StemCom hopes to empower more professionals to help people with disabilities lead more independent lives.
They also continue to explore new technologies, such as advanced presence detection using Bluetooth beacons and smart rings. These innovations could one day enable homes to adapt dynamically to the specific needs of individuals, offering tailored lighting, climate control, or even water temperature based on who is present.
For StemCom, the future is about collaboration, education, and constant innovation. By raising awareness and working with technology developers, they aim to ensure more people can experience the life-changing benefits of accessible smart home solutions.
Renee and Menne’s story is a reminder that when technology serves humanity, it has the power to transform lives in extraordinary ways. Homey already plays a vital role in this transformation, providing an accessible and powerful platform that ensures smart homes genuinely work for everyone.
