Hilfsgerät

Hilfsgerät, literally meaning auxiliary device, is a term used to describe equipment that supports the operation of a main device or the performance of a task. It encompasses tools that extend capability, improve safety, accuracy, or accessibility, and can be used by end users or by other machinery.

In healthcare and rehabilitation, devices designed to enable mobility, communication, or independent living are often described as assistive devices or Hilfsgeräte. In industrial and laboratory settings, Hilfsgeräte may include attachments, jigs, fixtures, lifting aids, or instrument interfaces that complement primary equipment.

Hilfsgeräte can be manual or powered, stationary or portable, and may be modular or integrated with the main device. They are designed to be compatible with existing equipment and may need to comply with safety, ergonomic, and interoperability standards.

Common examples range from a grab bar or shower seat to a tool holder, a robot arm end-effector, or a sensor interface that expands a machine’s capabilities. These devices aim to reduce effort, increase precision, improve safety, and broaden usability of technology and tools.

In German-language contexts, Hilfsgerät is closely related to, but sometimes used more broadly than, Hilfsmittel (assistive devices).

See also: Hilfsmittel, Assistive technology, Ergonomics, Instrumentation.