Reboocon Bionics: powered and lightweight prostheses for an active support

The goal of founder and CEO Shiqian Wang is to help people with spinal cord injuries or amputations using the latest robotic technology – for more natural movement sequences and less stress on still healthy joints. For the time being, the company has specialized in leg prostheses. The founder spoke to REHACARE.com about his ambitions and why he decided to make a guest appearance at the trade fair.

Mr. Wang, there are many different leg prostheses on the market. How do your prostheses differ from others?

Shiqian Wang: Indeed, there are many devices on the market. From the bigger companies like Össur and Ottobock and smaller companies as well. But most of these devices are passive devices. There is no motor-driven system on them and the user has to swing the leg in situations like stair climbing. This needs a lot of effort from the user. There is only one other powered knee prosthesis on the market besides our product. But that one so far is too heavy and not many people are using it. And what we are developing is a power knee prosthesis. It can actively support you on various undergrounds and surfaces such as sand or slopes and also helps you to sit down and stand up.

Are your prostheses suitable for every user or are there any limitations?

Wang: At least for above the knee amputees it’s mostly suitable for everyone.

To what extend is your prosthesis also suitable for any kind of sport?

Wang: So far, we have developed it mainly for the daily activity. But we actually see the potential of it. At least medium speed running should be do-able. But we have to improve it a little bit to make it possible for sports. But we're on it.

You’re also producing two further products, an exosceleton and a powered ankle. What distinguishes these products?

Wang: Unlike most other products on the market, our powered ankle is an active device. Mostly they are hydraulic passive devices. Our powered ankle is very lightweight, waterproof and has a very large range of motion.

And the exosceleton we are developing weighs only eleven kilograms. Worldwide, most devices weigh around 20 kilograms. We also want to make it modern, but also user-friendly. So that the exosceleton does not have to stay in the clinic. Most of these devices are used under controlled environment by clinicians and doctors who always have to be close to the patient. With our device we are aiming at a home-use, so the user can take it with him and perform his daily, normal activities with it.

Is there a concrete date when these products will be available on the market?

Wang: Our prosthetic knee was first to be introduced in China in October 2019. In May 2020 it should be available in Europe. The powered ankle will be launched one or maybe two months later, and the exoskeleton will be on the market about six months later.

You were an exhibitor at REHACARE 2019 and presented your products also in the PRODUCTS & NEWS FORUM. What do you expect from your trade fair participation?

Wang: At the very least, I want people to know that there is a company developing such products for people with disabilities. We want to become better known to other fellow manufacturers, companies and also to the audience of our presentation. Of course, we are putting a lot of effort right now in our public relations work in China. But for us, REHACARE is the place where we presented our knee prosthesis for the first time in Europe.