One year after succesfully completing a € 2.4M Series A financing round, Axiles Bionics announces a new R&D collaboration with BruBotics Research group from Vrije Universiteit Brussel to achieve its goal in developing a revolutionary next generation bionic prosthesis for lower limb amputees. The collaboration is supported by Innoviris with an additional grant worth €2M which will be used to reinforce the research, development and innovation in human robotics and artificial intelligence.
Current prostheses are still a long way off from answering the needs of amputees. Based on 13 years of Innoviris-supported research at BruBotics (VUB), blending advanced robotics, artificial intelligence and human biomechanics, Axiles Bionics developed a technology that will soon become the first intelligent bionic foot for lower leg amputees. The unique technology focuses on bringing back a natural gait and posture during daily life activities, on providing high responsiveness to the person’s intention, and on assisting during efforts by compensating for the lost leg muscles. The ultimate vision of Axiles Bionics is to make amputees feel complete again.
“This project was born in the labs of BruBotics and I am grateful for having the chance to bring this technology to the people so that they may benefit from it. I am also thankful for the continued trust and support from both Innoviris and BruBotics, in our team and in our vision. Together, I believe we have the strength and the expertise to build a center of excellence in intelligent bionic technologies, here in Brussels.”, says Dr. ir. Pierre Cherelle, CEO of Axiles Bionics.
“Under our vision of AI and Robotics for the common good, it is important that our research does not stay in the lab, but is used both to solve societal challenges as to create new economic markets. The further collaboration with Axiles Bionics is an important step to overcome disabilities. This is in line with the ambition of the Brussels-Capital Region to turn Brussels into an AI capital.“, says Prof. Dr. ir. Bram Vanderborght, Head of BruBotics
"It is when technology is put at the service of humans and the planet that it makes the greatest advances. With the development of this new generation prosthesis and the support of Innoviris, Axiles Bionics and the VUB are once again demonstrating the excellence of Brussels Research and Innovation. They also illustrate the willingness of the Brussels Government to redirect research resources for the benefit of the well-being and the quality of life of the people of Brussels and their environment. The results of the project will contribute in particular to improving the lives of amputees, in Brussels and, ultimately, throughout the world," says Barbara Trachte, Brussels Secretary of State for Scientific Research.