Artificial intelligence at the service of mobility

This text is part of the special Research section

The start-up Ora Médical has designed and developed a new rollator or walker to better equip rehabilitation physiotherapists who work with people who have difficulty walking.

“The walker currently in use requires the patient to support a good part of his weight with the strength of his arms, which does not work the legs enough,” emphasizes Sarah Lambert, co-founder of Ora Médical. In addition, the physiotherapist must stand behind the patient in case it is necessary to physically support the latter. »

This observation, Sarah Lambert made it during a rehabilitation internship at the end of her baccalaureate in physiotherapy. She then thought about the possibility of improving the concept, enrolled in mechanical engineering and became interested in the field of exoskeletons. There she met Louis St-Pierre and together they created Ora Médical in 2020. Thanks to angel investors, the young company manages to produce a prototype in less than two years.

This walker, named Levity, works differently from the classic walker. First, the patient’s weight is supported by the walker itself, using a belt, at hip height, attached to an adjustable column that rises along the patient’s back. The column rests on a metal frame with wheels which serves as a base, ensuring great stability to the device. “Thus, the arms are no longer solicited and all the walking effort must go through the legs,” explains Sarah Lambert. Then, the great stability of the device makes less necessary the physical contribution of the physiotherapist. In addition, the Levity is foldable and therefore transportable, and can be used elsewhere than in a rehabilitation center.

But the two entrepreneurs see even further and want to make the Levity more efficient, using artificial intelligence (AI). It is by placing sensors on the walker capable of recording a wealth of data on the effort of walking and, then, by transferring this data to the physiotherapist using a mobile application that Ora Medical has succeeded in doing so. . “The data collected allows the physiotherapist to adapt his therapy more finely, emphasizes Sarah Lambert, and he no longer needs to be physically in the same room as his patient. This therefore allows remote rehabilitation, with the patient at home. »

Next AI Montreal

This is where Next AI Montreal, part of Next Canada, comes into play. “Next Canada acts as an accelerator of start-ups, explains Simon Dandavino, Director of Programs and Partnerships at Next AI Montreal, and Montreal has Next Canada’s mandate to serve as an accelerator for companies that have an artificial intelligence component. The Next AI program is administered by the School of Leaders at HEC Montréal. “The School for Executives is the perfect partner for Next Canada,” he continues, “because we already have extensive experience in setting up training for entrepreneurs, executives and business leaders. In addition, the School has at its disposal a large pool of experts, mentors and coaches on whom it can count. »

The operation of the Next AI program goes as follows. First, a cohort of around forty companies is selected by Next AI. These companies then spend six to seven months at Next AI Montreal, during which the entrepreneurs receive a series of training sessions covering two aspects. First in artificial intelligence, where they can fine-tune their own AI application, and then in business, where they can consolidate their business. Entrepreneurs also benefit from the knowledge of specialists and scientists and the advice of seasoned entrepreneurs.

“But beyond this training and this support, underlines Simon Dandavino, the Next AI program allows entrepreneurs to network better, first by creating alliances between them, but also by taking advantage of the network of mentors. »

Ora Médical’s transition to the Next AI program in 2022 was very profitable, according to Sarah Lambert. The company already has private customers and is currently undertaking the manufacturing and delivery phase of the Levity devices which have just obtained approval from Health Canada. “We would like to see our [création] applied to all walkers and even canes, she says, in order to benefit all those who have difficulty walking. »

This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the Duty, pertaining to marketing. The drafting of Duty did not take part.

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