Launch HN: Trexo Robotics (YC W19) – Robotic Legs for Kids with Cerebral Palsy

Hi HN community! We're Rahul and Manmeet, co-founders of Trexo Robotics (https://trexorobotics.com) At Trexo Robotics, we're building wearable robotic devices to help children with disabilities learn to walk, in many cases for the first time in their lives. Video: https://youtu.be/3LW4LJIpa2o

We are both Mechatronics undergrads from the University of Waterloo. Rahul later completed a Master's in Robotics at the University of Toronto and I've done my MBA at Rotman.

We started this a few years ago when I (Manmeet) found out that my nephew, Praneit, has Cerebral Palsy, and that he would not be able to walk. Not walking can lead to contractures, hip subluxation, and many physiological and psychological issues for kids. We wanted to change that. We decided to use our robotics background, along with help from friends and the top rehabilitation researchers in North America, and in 2016, watched my nephew take his first steps using our device. Watching Praneit walk is definitely the proudest moment of my life, and we realized that there are families all over the world that can benefit from this, so we started Trexo Robotics.

The Trexo device is available for $899 per month (via financing) or can be purchased outright for $29,900. It is an exercise and therapy tool, allowing children to get the benefits of daily walking at their homes. We decided to design it so that it attaches onto an existing walker. Currently, it only works with Rifton's Dynamic Pacer, but hopefully, we can add other walkers later on as well. Our controller allows you to modify the gait pattern to adapt to the needs of different kids and adjust the amount of force/assistance that the robot provides on each joint. We are already launched, with kids using it to walk thousands of steps daily. It has been amazing to see the interest of families. Our device is available for pre-order. Our 2019 production is already fully reserved, and we are now taking reservations for next year.

Really interested to hear the HN community's thoughts on our approach, and experiences families or others have had in this space.

Could you make some comparison with ReWalk ?

Thanks! We have done some case studies where we have found improvements in walking. However, the primary case is that by using this device to walk at home everyday, kids can avoid many of the complications that may arise from sitting, i.e contractures, hip subluxation and other issues.

We will be conducting clinical studies to evaluate the effectiveness of our device in helping reduce some of these complications.

how did you determine the cost of 29K?

The ReWalk is a great device for adults with spinal cord injury as an example. The Trexo is specifically designed for children as a therapeutic device. Compared to adults who might have had spinal cord injury, children generally do not have upper body strength and in many cases have low bone densities. By building around a walker that many children already have and use we have eliminated the risk of falling and also have the ability to increase the weight bearing over time.