History

How an innovative idea evolved into a modern stair-climbing wheelchair that rethinks mobility.

Scewo im Fahrmodus

The history of Scewo

Discover our milestones.

From a student project to an innovative electric wheelchair: discover the key milestones on Scewo’s journey.

December 2025

BRO keeps rolling around the world

Scewo’s international journey continues to gain momentum. In 2025, the partner network expands beyond Europe and reaches new overseas markets for the first time. With new partners in Australia and Mexico, BRO becomes accessible to even more people. At the same time, the number of international BRO users continues to grow steadily. Step by step, Scewo is bringing more freedom, independence, and driving enjoyment to more countries around the world.

September 2024

Full speed into new markets

Scewo has long since expanded beyond the DACH region. Its presence is successfully extended to additional European markets, including France, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Belgium, and Luxembourg. With a strong network of numerous dedicated partners, Scewo is able to significantly expand its reach. More than 200 BRO users are now on the road, discovering greater independence in everyday life with their wheelchair.

February 2023

We keep growing

More than 100 BROs are already on the road across the DACH region. At the same time, the partner network continues to grow: numerous partners offer test drives and bring BRO closer to the people who want to experience it in everyday life. Scewo is also growing rapidly internally. The Scewo Family now includes many new team members, and plans to expand into additional countries are becoming increasingly concrete.

January 2022

On the road to success

Customers in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria begin a new chapter of everyday life with BRO. For many, this means greater flexibility, more independence, and new possibilities in daily life. At the same time, Scewo continues to expand its network and works with several medical supply stores as partners. The team also keeps growing and develops into a strong, dedicated Scewo Family.

August 2020

The first BRO users in everyday life

A special moment in Scewo’s history: the first production electric wheelchairs are handed over to customers. The BROs are symbolically presented in oversized gift packages. The people who get to unpack them and take them home are those who have supported Scewo since its early days as a student project. A vision becomes a real product for everyday life.

May 2019

Expansion into Germany and Austria

Scewo travels to a trade show in Germany with a big surprise in tow. There, an important next step is announced: reservations are now available not only in Switzerland, but also in Germany and Austria. This marks the beginning of expansion into additional markets and brings BRO within reach of even more people.

July 2018

Pre-sales launch in Switzerland

BRO is presented to the public for the first time. The presentation is a major moment for the young company and shows how far the original idea has already come. A special highlight of the evening: reservations from Switzerland are accepted for the first time. Pre-sales begin, and Scewo takes an important step from prototype to market-ready product.

September 2017

Scewo AG is founded

Bernhard Winter, Pascal Buholzer, and Thomas Gemperle make the next big step official: they found Scewo AG. The ambitious project becomes a company with a clear vision. The founders become young entrepreneurs determined to further develop their idea and bring an innovative electric wheelchair to market.

August 2016

At the Cybathlon starting line

Scewo takes part in the Cybathlon, a competition in which assistive technologies demonstrate their suitability for everyday life. Different technical solutions compete against one another and show how they can support people with physical disabilities in daily life. For the young team, participating is an important opportunity to gain experience, receive feedback, and further develop its technology.

August 2015

Viral overnight

The team publishes a video of the first prototype online. Within a short time, millions of people watch it. Interest is enormous: people from around the world get in touch and want to learn more about the stair-climbing wheelchair. Many even want to buy the product right away. During this phase, Pascal Buholzer also joins as a co-founder. Step by step, the original Scalevo project evolves into Scewo.

August 2014

Student project “Scalevo”

It all begins with a student project at ETH Zurich and Zurich University of the Arts. Ten students, including future Scewo co-founders Bernhard Winter and Thomas Gemperle, develop the first drivable prototype within nine months. The goal: an electric wheelchair that can transport a person and climb stairs. The idea of a stair-climbing electric wheelchair is born.

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