Industry 4.0 technologies like robotics and machine learning find numerous uses in the medical field that directly or indirectly improve the lives of affected people. Capitalising on this potential, Bulgarian startup IRise Mechanics 357 is developing innovative robotic mobility devices for people with lower limb disabilities.

Lubomir Vassilevi, the founder of this company, decided to work on projects for people in need when his wife lost her ability to walk in an accident that resulted in paraplegia a few years ago. With the help of his team, he created the robotic tool Omnibot to not only improve the quality of life for his wife but also others suffering from such an issue.

Although aids like wheelchairs are available for people with motor disabilities, most of them require the persons to move in a sitting position. As the vertebral injuries take long to heal, and sometimes stay permanently for lifetime, using wheelchairs can lead to chronic secondary health issues like long-term pain, heart disease, osteoporosis, urinary tract infection, deep vein thrombosis, and respiratory ailment.

Weighing just sixty kilograms, the chassis of Omnibot is built of aluminium tubing. It is lightweight, compact, and has foldable parts unlike other vertical devices available in the market. This makes the robot easy to transport in cars and other vehicles. It also enables easy transfer to and fro between wheelchair or any furniture and the machine without assistance.

One can easily grab objects on shelves and other hard-to-reach places with hands while on the bot. Its movement is smooth in upright position of the body, and its mecanum drive system (omnidirectional) enables 4×4 movement, axial movement and zero-grade turning radius. It works best for narrow indoor spaces but is unsuitable for overcoming obstacles or climbing stairs.

The device provides independence, decreases health risks and makes the person feel more socially included. For meeting every individual’s requirements, the company aims to produce several customised models based on factors like gender and style of the user.

In testing phase, the bot was used by over thirty people having spinal cord injuries in Bulgaria and Austria. The device is planned to be sold at a retail price of € 21,000. It can be pre-ordered by paying € 1,000 to get thirty per cent discount on price, according to the company. The startup was recently honoured with High Innovation Achievement award from President of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Besides being involved in creation of individualised aids, the team has also developed a motorcycle for people with lower limb disabilities and a wheelbarrow that is capable of running even marathons. The company has been stirring a lot of interest and is currently supported by a few investors but is looking for more to expand on a large scale, including foreign markets like Germany and the US.

—Ayushee Sharma