Funding secured for robotic mobility suit
21/12/2016
Among the investors were Japanese venture firm Global Brain and seed investors Horizon Ventures, based in Hong Kong, and Root Ventures, a US company.
Superflex has recruited a team of experts from the fields of textiles, industrial design, robotics, biomechanics and data science, to develop lightweight, connected apparel that can be worn under regular clothing. The garments, which it refers to as Powered Clothing, will have integrated electric “muscles” that offer increased strength and improve the natural mobility of muscles and joints. This is designed to allow the wearer, whether an athlete, an elderly person or someone with a disability, to increase their physical capacities.
The technology was developed at SRI as part of a programme funded by the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). It hopes to reduce the injury risk and enhance the endurance of soldiers when carrying heavy loads. The success of the project led SRI to spin it off into a new division, Superflex, in the hope of expanding its applications beyond the military. The company will initially focus on the potential benefits for older people, before exploring the wider uses in healthcare and sports.
In the coming months, it plans to release a powered suit designed for those experiencing mobility problems in later life. It will offer increased support for the torso, hips and legs. It will react to the movements of the body to naturally complement the wearer’s own strength when standing up, sitting down, or trying to stay upright.
“Our origins are in robotics, our future is as an apparel company,” said Rich Mahoney, co-founder and CEO of Superflex. He previously served as director of robotics at SRI International.
“Our powered clothing will give people the ability to move more freely, to gain strength and confidence, to be more injury-free, and to achieve higher levels of wellness and social engagement,” he added.
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