From Founder to Global Stage: NexStride Earns Tech for Good Recognition

When NexStride® by Drive® was named a Tech for Good Laureate at The Tech Interactivein San Jose last month, it marked meaningful international recognition for innovation that delivers measurable human impact.

The Tech for Good Awards honor a select group of global innovators whose solutions address significant societal challenges with both technical excellence and real-world benefit. Being named a Laureate places NexStride among those recognized for advancing technology for human good.

The evening brought further distinction: NexStride received formal commendations from the California State Senate and State Assembly for its contribution to improving mobility and independence for individuals living with neurological disorders. In addition, Sidney Collin, Clinical VP of Product Management at Drive Medical and the inventor of NexStride, had the opportunity to meet Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, who was recognized with a humanitarian award, underscoring the shared value of engineering with purpose.

“It was unreal,” Collin reflected. “To be on that stage and see the broader community of innovators—it reinforces how powerful technology can be when it’s built with purpose.”

A Founder’s Vision Rooted in Real Lives

NexStride’s story began long before the awards. While studying biomedical engineering at California Polytechnic State University, Collin met Korean War veteran Jack Brill, a local veteran with Parkinson’s disease. Brill struggled with freezing of gait, a condition that can make the simple act of walking feel as though feet are “glued to the floor.”

Drawing on research showing that visual and auditory cues can help re-engage neural pathways involved in movement, Collin designed a small device that could bring those cues out of the clinic and into daily life. That early NexStride prototype attached to Jack’s cane or walker and provided both a laser visual cue and a rhythmic metronome cue. The result was life-changing.

That breakthrough sparked a mission: to give others the confidence to walk again and the independence that comes with it. From that initial prototype emerged De Oro Devices and, ultimately, NexStride, which was integrated into Drive’s portfolio in 2025.

Looking Ahead: Scaling Impact with Drive

While the recognition highlights the innovation behind NexStride, Collin’s focus remains on expanding impact and access to technology-enabled mobility solutions. The acquisition of the NexStride product line and her transition into a leadership role at Drive have accelerated efforts to reach more providers, partners, and patients with mobility solutions that go beyond basic durable medical equipment, backed by greater operational strength, clinical expertise, and global footprint.

“I’m so grateful to now be a part of Drive Medical,” Collin said. “I think our missions really do align—creating technology that has a big impact on quality of life as people age or experience disability.” She added, “We’re just at the beginning. There’s so much more impact ahead.”

Inspiring the Next Generation

Some unexpected feedback from the awards came not from industry leaders, but from the next generation of potential innovators. During a private preview of Laureate videos, a museum staff member shared that among all the profiles shown, Collin’s was the one his daughters connected with most.

But for Collin, one of the most powerful aspects of the exhibit was hearing from NexStride users themselves.

“I can explain the research behind it. I can explain the technology and why it works and how it works,” she said. “But that doesn't have the same impact as having somebody who experiences freezing of gait sharing what it’s meant for their life.”

NexStride and other Laureates will be on exhibitat the Tech Interactive Museum in San Jose through 2026.

Learn more about the NexStride® Visual and Auditory Cueing Device.