Wearable Robotics Funding Opportunities and Commercialization of Robotics and Mobility Systems Bruce Floersheim, Ph.D., P.E. www.wearablerobotics.com Help shape a global future leveraging technology in a purposeful and synergetic fashion to improve quality of life and accelerate the advent of transformative human capabilities. 10/16/2015 1
Public curiosity and comfort with wearable technology Changing demographics globally with longlived populations Foundational technology enablers are available. Increasing activity and funding especially in North America, Europe and Asia. Ease of developing hardware and software that can spin out of academic research institutions readily Fueling the Growth
Global Forecast for Wearable Technology Spending 2016-2025 CAGR 21.1% Exoskeleton market growth: CAGR 48.1%
Snap Shot of 70 Wearable Robotics Companies Over half are still in the start-up mode with valuations that are less than $25M. One-quarter are large global companies such as Daewoo and Lockheed-Martin, who have made their names in other business lines and are interested in getting into the exoskeleton market. Many of the remaining 21% started as small firms spun out of research or university organizations that were boughtup by larger companies. $500M-$1B 2% $100M- $500M 4% Exo-Companies by Size Over $1B 20% $25M- $100M 21% Under $25M 53%
Exo-Skeleton Companies by Size and Region
Return function Spinal cord injury Rehabilitation Elderly Functional Landscape Enhance function Sports Performance Manufacturing Construction Defense and Emergency Responders Enhance Quality of Life Recreation ReWalk Argo Medical Technologies Israel Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS) US SOCOM Power Loader Light Panasonic Activelink Japan
User Input Touch: touchscreen, pressure sensor, rocker-switch Sound: voice recognition, sub-threshold Gestures: accelerometer, optical tracking Brain Activity: EEG User Output Haptics: vibration, device-based, surface coverage Sound: speaker, earpiece Display: OLED, LED, e-paper, prism, projection, see-through, quantum dots Component Classification for Wearable Tech Computing Hardware: processor, data storage Software: apps, artificial intelligence, local vs remote (cloud) Sensing Environment: Video imaging, geolocation, bio-chemical detection, velocity, elevation, temperature, wind, electrical field Soldier: Heart rate, blood O 2 /CO 2, ECG, galvanic sweat response, respiration, EEG, temperature Interactive sensors: sound, motion, force Communications Standards: WiFi, 3G/4GLTE, Near-Field Communications (NFC), BLE, ANT+, Hardwired Infrastructure: Internet, intranet, deviceto-device, vehicle Structural/Mechanical Structural: spars, straps, platforms Actuation: cable, pulley, motors, springs, dampers Power Storage: Batteries, super-capacitance, fuel cells Harvesting: thermal, solar, piezo-electric, radio frequencies Charging: wired or wireless
Advantages Leverage: University emphasis on entrepreneurship University equipment sales/re-utilization Academic, Government networks (experts, funding opportunities) Low-cost prototyping Young employees interested in avoiding 9-5, big-company routine Government interest in promoting commercialization of its patent portfolio Functional diversity leads to excellent Dual-Use opportunities Spinal cord injury leaders emerging, convergence Defense Supporting R&D, awaiting commercial off the shelf Assistive/Elderly need is increasing, opportunities exist Industrial most promising near term opportunities Recreational divergence, hyper-growth potential
Squad-X: A DARPA Vision How do we optimize integration of all the best of human and robotic capabilities to function as a powerful team on and off the battlefield?
Who is Seeking Solutions? DARPA (Open Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)) HR001117S0032: Warfighter Analytics using Smartphones for Health (WASH) HR001117S0030: Biological Technologies HR001117S0014: Innovative Systems for Military Missions Department of Defense R&D: Squad-X and TALOS (2013-2020) Fielding/Production: Warrior Suit (2021-2035) Industry Corporate Health and Wellness Programs (large manufacturing and retail customers) Employee Performance Assistance and Safety World Class Athletic Programs: Training Optimization and Play Tracking Medical/Rehabilitation Facilities Remote monitoring Improved rehabilitation Smart prosthetics
Some Innovation Opportunities What happens when we force a human to operate in a bio-mechanically stronger and/or faster way? If we could make a person run a 3-minute mile, should we? How can we better connect exoskeleton systems to a person? Losses occur at the interface between rigid, smart systems and human tissue. Can we gather more information about the interior performance of the human body and its systems in a less invasive way? Accurate, continuous, non-invasive glucose monitoring is being pursued hard by Apple and others What else? How can we better interface remaining human tissue with smart prosthetics? Humans are remarkably adaptive in learning how to adjust to new smart limbs. How can we make the smart limbs as adaptable?
Summary The need/desire for wearable robotic technology is growing, with many open areas for innovation. Much of the current innovation is happening with unknown inventors and small businesses/r&d labs across the globe. The universities, state and federal governments have many funding opportunities for R&D in the wearable technology space. WearRA can assist inventors and small businesses explore new opportunities and support their success. We are also connecting government need with industry leaders. Bruce.floersheim@wearablerobotics.com