FIGUR8 has commercialized MGH/MIT Media Lab research to create a sensor and algorithm to measure and track body movement as a biomarker. The wearable creates a movement baseline, diagnoses dysfunction, identifies injury risk, optimizes exercise routines and tracks progress.
During movement, the sensor quantifies muscle activity and joint mobility, and the algorithm analyzes more than a million data points to determine biomechanical health. This is cheaper and potentially more effective than current MRI and x ray screening for soft tissue issues.
Athletes and physical therapists are using the system, which the company hopes will also be used in clinical Parkinson’s studies, and stroke diagnostics and recovery.