Three Questions to: RetroBrain R&D

RetroBrain R&D, a Hamburg-based social enterprise, operates at the intersection of digital health and gaming by developing the memoreBox, a gesture-controlled gaming console designed specifically for the elderly. The primary objective of the device is to serve as both an accessible entertainment platform and a certified medical tool that promotes physical and mental fitness. By integrating serious games into standard nursing care, the company aims to provide sustainable, non-pharmaceutical interventions that improve the quality of life and autonomy of aging populations.

The effectiveness of the memoreBox is supported by peer-reviewed research, including a long-term study conducted by psychologists Prof. Dr. Reinhard Beyer and Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Luzi Beyer. Findings indicate that regular engagement with the console’s serious games positively impacts the cognitive abilities of seniors. Consequently, the device has achieved significant regulatory milestones in Germany, becoming one of the first video games to be certified as a medical device and gaining eligibility for reimbursement by statutory health insurance providers.

Headquartered in Hamburg to leverage the city's robust ecosystem of gaming, digital health, and social entrepreneurship, RetroBrain R&D is currently scaling its operations. Through strategic partnerships, such as the collaboration with Schenker Technologies, the company is addressing rising demand and expanding its reach into Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. The broader industry outlook suggests that health-focused gaming is becoming an increasingly recognized and essential component of modern healthcare, with growing support from German national health insurance funds and policy stakeholders.