MADE is focused on three main threads of activity – education, R&D, and community outreach. Our lab is an inspiring maker space which supports the technical needs of students and lab members throughout the development process. The hands-on experience is an integral part of our teaching method. MADE associates with several key-partners in the field of assistive technology. Among our partners are rehabilitation centers, special education institutes, special needs accelerators, social entrepreneurs and municipalities.

MADE is founded by two young professionals with a rich background in assistive design & technology - Ms. Yael Avni and Dr. Daniil Umanski. Together, they lead the lab’s activities in close cooperation with the R&D authority at HIT.

Dr. Daniil Umanski - Co-founder and academic director.

Daniil is a lecturer and researcher in the area of assistive design and technology. He has obtained his PhD from the Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition in The Netherlands, specializing in interactive technologies for the support of communication disorders. Daniil has initiated international research collaborations, developed new technological solutions, and advised high-tech companies dealing with medical and assistive technologies. He has a rich experience in teaching and supervising student projects in the field of interaction design, code-driven design, and assistive design and technology.

Yael Avni - Co-founder and operations director.

Yael is an industrial and interaction designer, specialized in assistive design. She holds an MA in Medical Industrial Design from the Technion Institute of Technology in Israel. Throughout her work, Yael has gained experience in developing novel products for populations with special needs and assistive devices, as well as in teaching and supervising students in the field of inclusive and assistive design. Yael’s design works have been exhibited in various venues, including the London design museum, Gent design museum in Belgium, Tel-Aviv museum of Art, and Stanford University.

Associated Researchers:

Dr. Michal Balberg

Dr. Jonathan Rubin