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Fourier Intelligence participated in this year’s RehabWeek Virtual 2021 which was held on 23-25th September as the platinum sponsor
SINGAPORE, Sept 25, 2021 – Fourier Intelligence left a great impact as the platinum sponsor in the RehabWeek 2021 which was held virtually from September 23-25th. RehabWeek is a top event in the international rehabilitation field which is held every two years and is well known as the “Olympic Games” in the rehabilitation industry. During the event this year, Fourier unveiled its ArmMotus™ EMU, a 3D upper limb rehabilitation robot for the first time.
In addition to that, Dr Minos Niu Chuanxin of Ruijin Hospital, an affiliate to Shanghai Jiaotong University and Professor Jose Pons of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab also delivered keynote speeches during the symposium. Co-Founder and Global Hub CEO of Fourier Intelligence, Zen Koh also participated in a roundtable discussion session, ‘Meet The Entrepreneurs’, to discuss and demonstrate the advanced nature of rehabilitation medical technology in China and globally.
As the leading conference in the field of rehabilitation, the RehabWeek brings together top engineers, clinicians, researchers, and industry representatives from all around the world, providing the best platform for networking and meaningful interactions. Previously held in Zurich and London, the pandemic has forced the event to be held virtually this year. The conference was jointly hosted by the International Consortium for Rehabilitation Robotics (ICORR), the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society (IFESS), the International Industry Society in Advanced Rehabilitation Technology (IISART) and the International Society for Virtual Rehabilitation (ISVR). Experts were invited to share their academic researchers, industrial insights, clinical findings as well as to discuss the latest development trends and innovative ideas in the rehabilitation industry.
Fourier Intelligence Launches ArmMotus™ EMU
During the first day, Fourier Intelligence unveiled its new device, the ArmMotus™ EMU, a 3D upper limb rehabilitation robot. Being the world’s first 3D back-drivable upper limb rehabilitation robot, The ArmMotus™ EMU was jointly built by Fourier Intelligence and the University of Melbourne Robotics Lab. It has successfully transformed years of scientific research into a clinically proven device that redefines human-machine interaction. The ArmMotus™ EMU has a large 3D training trajectory motion that combines with the industry-leading force feedback technology. This will simulate the force exerted by a therapist and allows rehabilitation movement to be more realistic.
Zen Koh, the Co-Founder and Global Hub CEO of Fourier Intelligence emphasized the importance of this device launch. “The appearance of the ArmMotus™ EMU in the RehabWeek is not only a huge benchmark for intelligent rehabilitation devices but also personally a huge milestone for us.”
“It has been a project that we have worked on for years and we are proud to finally show the fruits to our labour. We were looking to provide users with not only a complete but easy-to-use upper limb robotic rehabilitation device and the ArmMotus™ EMU is the answer”, said Zen Koh.
Meeting the Entrepreneurs
Zen Koh, the ambassador of The International Industry Society in Advanced Rehabilitation Technology (IISART), was invited to a roundtable discussion during the RehabWeek to share his 20 years of experience in the industry. “In addition to providing services to existing markets in China and Asia, Fourier intelligence have our focus set on expanding in North America and Europe. The next step will be to possibly set up a branch in Zurich, Switzerland to further expand our influence in the European market. We may also establish additional branches in Chicago and Melbourne next year. Our aim is to serve the world”, said Zen Koh.
Zen also pointed out that for a product to truly enter the mainstream market, it must have three important elements: people, money, and space. “The robot is just like a car. Fourier Intelligence has made the leap from manual to automatic. Fourier devices are highly operative and allow therapists to train multiple patients at the same time, which perfectly solves the problem regarding the shortage of therapists.”
“In terms of pricing, we are not looking to manufacture the Ferrari of rehabilitation robotics, but products that everyone can afford. Relying on core technology developed by independent research and development, coupled with the ecological synergy of upstream and downstream industrial chains, Fourier devices are created. The quality of devices is on par with the ones manufactured in Europe and the United States, but the price is only about one-third.” said Zen Koh.
“Lastly, space is also another major pain point of rehabilitation. Spaces in hospitals are very valuable. If the device is reliable but takes up a huge space, it would still not be desirable”. Fourier Intelligence has solved these pain points and has been very well received by the market, installing over 1000 devices globally in only the span of 3 years.
Future of Interconnected Rehabilitation
Prof Jose Pons of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab gave a presentation titled ‘Towards a Digital Continuum of Care Model: The Role of Robotics’. Prof Jose Pons talked about the two typical paths of the continuum of care for neurological models and gave his opinion on suggested rehabilitation training programs. He also mentioned the importance of rehabilitation robotics in supporting group interventions and remote interventions, especially during these pandemic times. “We believe that the usage of robotics or AI can use to break the physical barrier between therapists and patients, and they can be mediators between the caregivers and patients in the digital CCM. This will provide more intense training and interventions can be more personalized to the motor and cognitive status of patients as well”.
In another keynote lecture, Dr Minos Niu Chuanxin from Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, shared the challenges faced by rehabilitation robots in clinical settings. As an emerging technology, rehabilitation robots face difficulties in being clinically verified for their actual application effects. Led by Ruijin Hospital, a large-scale randomized double-blind grouped controlled experiment of rehabilitation robotics was carried out and after three years of research, some clinical effects have been accumulated. Dr Minos pointed out that although each country has its own regulatory system, the scientific research of rehabilitation knows no borders. “Although we come from different nationalities, our body functions are similar. Researchers use the same scientific research system and discourse to produce results and evidence that can be recognised mutually.”
“The open robotic technology platform created by Fourier Intelligence has broken the technological barrier of rehabilitation robotics, encouraging cooperation and openness, rather than just relying on the ideas from one source”, said Dr Minos. He also spoke about the importance of industry-university-research-medical integration, stating that medical products need the cooperation and promotion of clinics and enterprises to be successful.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
Sarah LIM, Senior Manager
Fourier Intelligence
Phone: +65-6911-6651
Email: sarah.lim@fftai.com
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