Movendo Technology

Movendo Technology, a spin-off from the prestigious Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), was established in 2016 to commercialize advanced robotic systems for physical rehabilitation. The company was founded by Simone Ungaro, Carlo Sanfilippo, and Jody Saglia, who leveraged their work at the 'Rehab Technologies IIT – INAIL Lab' which began in 2013. Simone Ungaro, with a background as General Director of IIT and experience at firms like Deloitte, spearheaded the transition from a research lab to a commercial entity. Carlo Sanfilippo brought extensive experience in managing technology transfer for medical devices at IIT and previously worked in R&D and operations for medical device companies. The venture secured a significant €10 million investment from Sergio Dompè, chairman of the Dompé pharmaceutical group, to launch its first product.

Movendo Technology designs, manufactures, and markets robotic medical devices for hardware-based rehabilitation. The company's business model involves selling these high-value hardware systems directly to its client base, which includes hospitals, physiotherapy centers, and clinics specializing in orthopedics, neurology, geriatrics, and sports rehabilitation. The firm operates in the growing market for medical robotics, which is projected to expand significantly. By integrating robotics, big data analysis, and cloud computing, the company aims to provide objective, data-driven tools to support clinicians and improve patient outcomes.

The company's flagship product is 'hunova', a robotic system for the rehabilitation and functional assessment of the lower limbs and trunk. Hunova consists of two mobile electromechanical platforms (one for the feet, one for the seat) equipped with force sensors and a wireless sensor worn on the patient's trunk to monitor movement. This setup allows for a wide range of customizable exercises for balance, postural control, muscle strengthening, and passive mobilization. The system supports therapists by providing objective data on patient progress and enhances patient engagement through gamified rehabilitation protocols. Having received both CE certification for Europe and FDA clearance in the US, hunova is utilized for post-stroke recovery, treatment for degenerative diseases like Parkinson's, orthopedic rehabilitation for the ankle, knee, and hip, and fall prevention in geriatric patients.

Keywords: robotic rehabilitation, physiotherapy technology, medical robotics, sensorimotor assessment, hunova, orthopedic rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation, geriatric therapy, functional motor evaluation, biomechanics data, MedTech, Italian Institute of Technology spin-off, Sergio Dompé, Simone Ungaro, Carlo Sanfilippo, lower limb rehabilitation, trunk stabilization, balance control, post-stroke recovery, fall prevention, data-driven therapy, sports medicine technology, assistive medical devices, electromechanical therapy