Fourier Intelligence: ‘All eyes are on us now’
Now firmly established as a leader in its field on an international scale, Fourier Intelligence has again captured the world’s attention through attracting a second major investor to support its pioneering work in rehab robotics.
Here, deputy chief executive Zen Koh tells NR Times how the business is now ready to unite and lead the sector, and be a force for good in global tech
Having emerged as a leader in the field of rehab robotics on a global scale, Fourier Intelligence continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in technology.
With a track record of designing and creating robotics which truly redefine the outlook for patient rehabilitation – and its most recent launch of the ArmMotus™ EMU being hailed as being capable of redefining neurorehab as we know it – its latest creations are set to up the ante even further.
ArmMotus EMU
With the impending launch of the MetaMotus™ system, and its fully immersive gait training Galileo model – its first to make use of its move into world-leading standards of VR technology – Fourier is moving forward day by day in its quest to improve patients’ lives; an ambition the business has had as its focus from day one.
And to accompany the unveiling of its latest technology, Fourier is set to leave the world in no doubt of its capability by creating the world’s first bionic robot.
The globally sought-after ability to create a ‘virtual human’ – which tech powerhouses and entrepreneurs, including Elon Musk, believe lies at the future of human operation – would show the scale of Fourier’s innovation and underline its ability to create cutting-edge technology beyond the world of rehab and healthcare.
Attracting investment to the sector
But within the healthcare sector, where it has become established as a true pioneer, Fourier is now known as a force to be reckoned with, having become the first rehab robotics business to attract two major mainstream investors – Saudi Aramco, which made a significant investment last year, and SoftBank, which led a RMB 400million in a Series D funding round in early 2022.
For Zen Koh, deputy chief executive and co-founder of Fourier Intelligence, this investment will help unlock the next stage of growth for the business, which includes ongoing international collaborations, and is set to include its first acquisitions.
“The investment will definitely speed up the whole process and accelerate the pace of expansion,” says Zen.
“We have grown organically and steadily and this is a great boost. It is more ammunition for our plans and also gives us the option to look at more options.
“We are recruiting many new people to set up and grow teams in Europe, Australia and the US, and are also looking at acquiring companies. We are already talking to a few companies across North America, Europe and Asia. Some of these companies have been doing great work for 30 years or so, so to bring them together would be positive for this whole sector.
“But it’s not just the technology we need – it is the teams, the really experienced managers. It is very challenging to find such people who are trained and accomplished in product management, development, R&D, sales, all aspects of running a company.
“Through acquisition, this will help us run faster, strengthen the team, and is a brilliant opportunity for us, which has been made possible by the investment.
“We are big believers in collaborating, not competing, and there are a few small companies who are competing with each other, but they are too small on their own. We are excited to see where this goes – everyone is looking for a leader in this field to help take us all forward.”
Ready to lead by example
And with the rapid expansion and unrelenting ambition of Fourier, there can be few better placed than the business – which has recently relocated to the Silicon Valley of the East in Shanghai – to take on that mantle.
“I think there is definitely an opportunity for us to take a lead on a global scale,” says Zen, the incoming president of the International Industry Society in Advanced Rehabilitation Technology (IISART).
“In 20 years working in health, I have seen many companies come and go, but we have managed to sustain our success.
Fourier Intelligence’s RehabHub
“In spite of what has happened with COVID, the business is exactly where we want it to be. Instead of slowing down, we have speeded up, and investors believe in our dream. These are major mainstream investors, we are playing in the top league now.
“I was speaking with a friend, who is a very experienced individual in this area, and he said he is sure Fourier are now in a position to take control of the market. I see that as a huge vote of confidence in what we are doing.
“Fourier will do the right thing and raise the flag high in this industry. We will lead us all in working together to a future where we are helping to make a difference to people’s lives.
“But when you reach that milestone, to quote Spiderman, ‘With more power comes responsibility’. We appreciate that when you are big enough, you should ‘do well and do good’. All eyes are on us now but we are on the right track, the track we want to be on.”
Improving lives through technology
But while its presence in rehab tech continues to make waves internationally – with partnerships in place with fellow world-renowned names in neuro-rehab, including the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab – Fourier’s capability is now seeing it look at how to improve people’s lives in general, beyond the field of rehab.
Alex Gu and Zen Koh
“Our slogan from the start has been ‘Empowering You’, which means through technology and health solutions, but also through research and education and other applications outside rehab,” says Zen, who co-founded Fourier with Alex Gu.
“Alex and I are engineers who have worked in robotics since graduation, and this is very exciting for us. Healthcare has been our initial application but we are looking at other areas. The launch of the bionic robot is going to move things to another level.
“In terms of what we have already, we are looking to extend our EXOPS™ system (the Fourier Exoskeleton & Robotics Open Platform System, which delivers education to help accelerate the development of rehab tech opportunities) and will encourage more people to adopt it, to make that application available outside of rehab.
“VR is a strong area for us and the launch of Galileo is going to be very exciting, it’s going to be huge, not just as a product but in showing what we can do.
“We are making major advances in technology and now have the freedom to go beyond healthcare in applying that.”
Today’s investment creates tomorrow’s talent
As a business on a path of strong global growth, while being acutely aware of its responsibility as a leader, one area in which Fourier is keen to make a difference is in creating tomorrow’s talent. Opportunities are being created around the world for aspiring young engineers and developers, and partnerships have been formed with a growing number of leading academic institutions.
“Existing knowledge can never be enough in this industry. We are always advancing and with that, we need the talent to enable this development,” says Zen.
“We are working with some of the leading researchers to create joint labs, we offer scholarships for PhD students with the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and University of Melbourne. We want to continue to partner with universities to offer the highest standards in continuing education.
“The MotusAcademy (founded to enable ongoing professional development in advanced robotics rehab tech) will offer a research platform and will help to lead this further, with the highest standards and results.
“We can never think what we are doing is good enough, as we can always do more. The world is advancing, and through knowledge, we can continue to advance.”
