A Prosthetic Foot Combining Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

The Brussels-based startup "Axiles Bionics," a spin-off of VUB, aims to enhance the quality of life for lower limb amputees by bringing to market the latest generation of bionic feet equipped with artificial intelligence.

Every year, 75,000 people in Europe undergo major lower limb amputations, often disappointed with the current inefficiency (99%) or high cost (1%) of existing prosthetic foot-ankle devices. Physicist and robotics Ph.D. candidate Pierre Cherelle developed the project "Axiles Bionics" based on a decade of research in human biomechanics at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). "Surgeons are interested in what we do. Our product has moved beyond the 'ski boot' phase with a fixed foot at 90°. We aim to restore movement with our process, bringing back ankle muscle functionality," explains the CEO of Axiles Bionics.

Artificial Intelligence

In 2017, the project won the MedTech award under Hub.brussels' Lifetech program. Since then, the company has expanded, including specialists in artificial intelligence and medical certifications. Axiles Bionics aims to address the domestic market's needs, estimated at 1,000 to 1,200 prostheses per year, and targets international exports. "For the past two years, we have integrated artificial intelligence into our approach to create a product that adapts to the individual's foot. The idea is that as the person uses the device, the prosthesis collects data and adapts to its user. This is what makes it absolutely unique worldwide," he adds.

The Culmination of the Journey

This combination of robotics and artificial intelligence sparks the interest of surgeons and hospital staff, offering hope to patients: "When a person undergoes amputation, they spend six months in a hospital environment (or longer for certain diseases like diabetes) for rehabilitation and wound care. Then, an initial prosthesis, not the final one, is tested. Afterward, the person goes home and is directed to orthopedic centers."

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Reimbursement

Currently, no reimbursement is planned. Pierre Cherelle intends to benefit from it when the time comes: "Our goal is really to bring a device to the market at an affordable price. We will also demonstrate its beneficial effects on the entire body since the prosthesis is more mobile and therefore less traumatic."

Investment and Safety

In the current landscape of this medical segment, two spin-offs in the USA and "Axiles Bionics" in Belgium aim to offer the best product: "Compared to our competitors, we are extremely competitive both economically and technologically."

Pierre Cherelle is currently focusing on the financial aspect: "The fundraising for our project is going well at the moment. Once it is completed, we should be able to hire engineers to continue development." A genuine hope for many patients.

Read the article on lespecialiste.be

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