Huple movement and coordination development tool

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HUPLE (Huple movement and coordination development tool)

Reporting period: 2019-12-01 to 2020-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Children who are born with a disability or become disabled at an early age have to live their whole life in a disadvantaged form and will be restricted from living their life freely and equally, unless they are rehabilitated. Effective rehabilitation procedures and therapies have been reported for children with cerebral palsy (CP). HUPLE provides early intervention and complex therapy for children with movement disorders, mostly resulting from birth injuries – and also to help healthy children improve their balance and coordination ability. It has already been used on 75,000 children with more than 50% of them successfully rehabilitated.
HUPLE is a patented (EU & US) hemisphere shaped balance swing that helps the development of dynamic stability of the head-trunk-pelvis unit through isolated and complex vestibular stimulation. It is used as rehabilitation tool for children with movement disorders and as a development tool for healthy new-borns, children and adults. It incorporates decades of knowledge and experience of improving dynamic stability handicapped children.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

There is a lot of interest from therapy and rehabilitation centres across Europe who already use HUPLE and are demanding larger quantities with enhancements to improve the effectiveness of the therapy. The aim of the Phase 1 feasibility study was to identify a suitable business model that allows the manufacturing of HUPLE to become scalable in order to satisfy market demand and to create a corresponding business and commercialisation plan for the sensor-enhanced HUPLE product based on updated market analysis and customer need. We carried out a technological and economic feasibility study in order to evaluate the full potential of our development. To enter the market, investment will be required for the upgraded HUPLE® production line, building a software support network, manufacturing the first batch with the new production method, and for relevant marketing activities. We have validated the business model in comparative analysis, built partnerships with companies and associations to support our development, and drafted workplan for product development. Based on the positive outcomes we will continue the development.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Our recent work focused on using 3D orientation sensors attached to HUPLE and using AI-based analytical, predictive and other therapy support software elements with corresponding hardware applications to make the assessment more reliable and to make it more acceptable and likeable by children through special games. Having carried out a thorough market analysis we could state that HUPLE® is a unique diagnostic and therapy device which has no competitor in the world. None of the therapy devices being on the market dispose of the overall capacities of HUPLE®. Its therapeutic effects include the initiation of sensorial sensations and motor functions, the development of cognitive abilities, eye-hand coordination and space orientation, and the positive reinforcement of psychological attitudes. It is an efficient, comfortable, and safe development tool offering more successful therapy.
The novel production method designed will be a huge improvement from the smaller scale technology used presently. The retail tier of our commercialisation strategy will help to reach potential customers and share promotion efforts more effectively. In the current short-term forecast, HUPLE® is estimated to improve the life of around 300,000 children, so social impact is seen to be significant.

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