Lifetech: Axiles Bionics designs and develops the Formula 1 of prosthetics in Brussels

Axiles Bionics designs and develops the Formula 1 of prosthetics in Brussels
Until now, ankle-foot prosthetics have been uncomfortable and caused various issues for their users. However, Axiles Bionics, a dynamic startup within the lifetech cluster at hub.brussels, is revolutionizing the industry. Its next-generation prosthetic mimics the musculoskeletal functions of the ankle and is equipped with AI control to anticipate future movements, thus improving comfort and functionality.
The story of Axiles Bionics began in Brussels in the mid-2000s, when Pierre Cherelle, a physicist by training, completed a PhD in robotics at a research center at the VUB. "The decline of interest in humanoid robots in the mid-2000s led our research group to refocus on medical applications," he recalls. "I worked extensively on exoskeletons, prosthetics, everything related to lower limbs, with the goal of improving users' daily lives."

Robotics and AI at the service of ankle-foot prosthetics
One observation struck the researcher: ankle-foot prosthetics had barely evolved in fifty years. They remained uncomfortable and caused numerous inconveniences for users, "as if forcing them to walk with an old rigid ski boot," he says.
He was convinced that there was room to do better. Much better. To revolutionize the industry while significantly improving the lives of patients. By creating a bionic prosthetic with a motorized ankle joint and adding an extra feature that turns it into a miniature robot: AI control capable of anticipating future movements, bridging the gap between the prosthetic and natural connectivity with the brain. Research in this field is ongoing, and future generations of prosthetics are expected to become increasingly sophisticated.

The entrepreneurial path
In September 2019, Axiles Bionics was founded following its first fundraising round, marking the beginning of its entrepreneurial journey. Pierre Cherelle notes, "The research initiated within university groups was not initially intended to create a company. My work attracted the attention of American and Chinese professors on my PhD jury. If, after that, I had applied to a big company, Axiles Bionics probably wouldn't have existed! Indeed, to start a company in the healthcare sector, you need not only a promising technology but also an entrepreneur capable of developing it while driving the project forward."
Since then, the young company has grown significantly. The initial team of four founders now includes 17 employees. An engineering team has been formed to conduct the R&D necessary for the development of various generations of prosthetics, while the sales and marketing teams are also expanding. Already firmly established in Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, and Germany with its first commercial product, the Lunaris prosthetic—a passive version of the bionic foot—Axiles Bionics now aims to expand its presence across Europe, the United States, and globally.

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The Formula 1 of prosthetics
In the field of bionic prosthetic development, a significant innovation has been introduced: a system similar to an electric bicycle, allowing the prosthetic to remain functional even if the battery is depleted, avoiding the issue of becoming dead weight when the battery runs out.
This advancement has been validated through tests with nearly 300 patients, revealing the potential of a new product derived from the bionic foot. Thus, at the end of 2022, Axiles Bionics launched the Lunaris, a passive and simplified version of its bionic prosthetic.

Another prosthetic, inspired by the Lunaris, is being prepared for imminent commercialization with the support of social security reimbursements. Meanwhile, other innovations are currently in development and are expected to be introduced in the near future.
These advancements in passive versions do not hinder the continuous development of the original bionic foot. Pierre Cherelle, founder of the Brussels-based company, emphasizes, "Our expertise focuses on robotics, artificial intelligence, and human biomechanics. What started as the design of a simple bionic foot has evolved into what we now call the Formula 1 of prosthetics." Dedicated teams continue working on this bionic technology, while another part of the team is developing other products.

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Realism
The founder and CEO of Axiles Bionics remains realistic: access to cutting-edge technology can quickly become expensive and cater to a very narrow niche. However, he is also optimistic: 85% of the people who have tested the prosthetic so far have felt like they regained a functional ankle. Pierre Cherelle adds, "Every gait is unique, like fingerprints, and evolves over time and with use. We work tirelessly in close collaboration with prosthetic users, with the ultimate goal of making bionic feet accessible to as many people as possible, as originally envisioned when launching Axiles Bionics."

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Lifetech.brussels, a valuable ally
During his journey within the well-established MedTech ecosystem in Brussels, Pierre Cherelle found strong support from lifetech.brussels. "I participated in the second edition of the MedTech Accelerator in 2017," he explains. "What I gained most was the opportunity to build a network. Networking takes time but is the best way to succeed. Major American universities like MIT have understood this well with their Alumni networks. Unfortunately, Belgian universities are lagging behind, and lifetech.brussels fills this gap." He also highlights the assistance received in certain matters and notes that he continues to be active in the community, notably as a board member of lifetech.brussels.

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Future prospects
The CEO of Axiles Bionics plans to continue developing new technologies and expanding the company's operations internationally. But above all, Pierre Cherelle hasn’t forgotten his first passion: rehabilitation and industrial exoskeletons, which could benefit from the technological advancements developed by Axiles Bionics. He is convinced of the tremendous potential of future developments: "There is enormous potential to create exoskeletons that interact harmoniously with humans, seamlessly integrating into their natural movements and improving their quality of life," he says. "Exciting developments await us, and our team is eager to take on these challenges."

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Article on Lifetech website