A leader in rehab tech has formed a new research partnership to help advance its globally-significant work into delivering patient rehabilitation.
Fourier Intelligence has partnered with Kobe University, Japan, to promote advanced rehabilitation technology and integrate group therapy into the clinical setting.
Fourier Intelligence said the Memorandum of Understanding partnership will help to advance its global vision in promoting accessibility and adoption of rehabilitation technology.
The research will focus on efficacy research on the upper limb robotics for patients, with the long-term aim that the partnership will collaborate on multi-centre trials that will involve Fourier Intelligence’s extensive global network of researchers and laboratories.
The global rehabilitation market is forecast to reach $2.617billion by 2026, with the Japanese market earmarked as a particular opportunity given its ageing population. By 2035, it is estimated a third of the country’s population will be aged 65 or over.
Robotics are seen as providing a key opportunity for elderly people to regain independence in their day to day lives, reducing the need for clinical intervention.
The new alliance is the latest to be formed by Fourier Intelligence as it pushes forward with its work in rehabilitation robotics, and comes only weeks after the business also teamed up with the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Faculty of Engineering to help advance its work in neurorehabilitation robotics.
Two further partnerships, with tech leaders HumanXR and maxon Group, are also helping to drive its work on a global scale into improving rehab potential for patients.
Kobe University said its partnership with Fourier Intelligence provided the opportunity to integrate education, research, and technology to support clinicians in delivering top-quality rehabilitation services.
“We’re delighted to be able to forge this new partnership with Kobe University, which is one of the highest-ranked universities in Japan,” says Zen Koh, Fourier Intelligence’s Global Hub Chief Executive Officer.
“This collaboration aims to introduce previously research-oriented projects on rehabilitation robotics into clinical settings. This will tremendously improve the efficiency of clinical services for clinicians and resulting in better clinical outcomes for patients.”
“We are excited in this partnership with Fourier Intelligence and to join their global research network in introducing advanced rehabilitation technology for Japan’s rehabilitation services,” says Professor Rumi Tanemura, from the Department of Rehabilitation Science who is leading the research efforts in the partnership.
“We believe this is mutually beneficial, as Kobe University trains some of the best therapists in Japan and combining our in-depth clinical knowhow, we can jointly develop technologies that will be highly relevant for our hospitals.”
