Innovative technology set to transform lives

Gu Jie, CEO of Shanghai Fourier Intelligence

A1: Fourier Intelligence is a company focusing on the design and manufacturing of rehabilitation robotics.

A2: People in need of rehabilitation account for 15 percent of the world population. In the past, most rehab training was administered manually by therapists. This is time consuming and leaves many therapists overworked. It also reduces the efficiency of treatment. If we trust robotics to handle monotonous, uninspired work, therapists can focus their attention on generating better rehab plans for patients.

A3: The core facet of rehabilitation robotics is human-machine interaction. The robot needs to know the user's intentions. Through cutting-edge force feedback algorithms and high-performance motors, our robots are able to simulate the hands of therapists, thereby guiding users through training.

Moreover, equipped with a smart decision-making system, they adjust to users' needs for different training modes such as muscle strength, cognition and motor control. Treatment plans used to be decided by the therapist; going forward, they will be automated by robots thanks to machine learning and huge troves of data.

A4: With changing demographics, the demand for rehabilitation products and services is set to rise. Add to that China's shortfall of 300,000 therapists, and you'll see that using robotics for smart rehabilitation represents a broad trend. Rehab robots will assist therapists in their day-to-day tasks, enhancing the overall efficiency and service capacity. They can be widely deployed to facilities including nursing homes, hospitals and community care centers. In addition to one day becoming a fixture at rehab institutions, robots will also make their way into the homes of the needy, boosting their standards of living as a result.

A5: The government has created a favorable climate and also myriad opportunities for the development of AI in Shanghai. In 2018, our Fourier M2 Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Robotics, aimed at the recovery of upper limbs, was recognized as one of the most innovative AI products in Shanghai by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization.

We also have showcased our products at multiple officially organized events featuring AI as the overriding theme. For example, our products were on display at the AI + Health section during the 2018 World Artificial Intelligence Conference. Recently, Premier Li Keqiang stopped by our booth on his visit to Zhangjiang AIsland. This wealth of events has lifted our company's profile and offered a diverse platform for industrial exchange.