Stroke is a leading cause of disability and a major global health issue. Effective rehabilitation is crucial not only for improving the quality of life for post-stroke individuals but also for reducing the risk of future strokes and associated complications. A PolyU startup is at the forefront of this challenge, leveraging groundbreaking technology and real-world applications to transform post-stroke rehabilitation, translating research excellence into impactful solutions.

The next-generation wearable device for home and remote therapy

Pioneering this cutting-edge technology is Dr Xiaoling Hu, the co-founder of PolyU startup Thecon Technology (HK) Limited (Thecon) and Associate Professor of PolyU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering. She led a research team to develop a hybrid robot called “Mobile Ankle-foot Exoneuromusculoskeleton”. This innovation is one of the ten projects from PolyU startups that were nurtured by PolyVentures and recently showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas, where it received an award.

As the first of its kind, this innovative hybrid robot features a small rechargeable battery that combines the advantages of exoskeletons, soft pneumatic muscles, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and tactile sensory feedback into a lightweight wearable system. Utilising Internet of Things (IoT) technology, patients can engage in self-help rehabilitation at home, allowing therapists to monitor progress remotely. This approach not only reduces the workload for medical personnel but also enhances the efficacy and efficiency of rehabilitation.

Delivering real-world applications

With the support of PolyVentures, the University’s signature startup ecosystem, Dr Hu and her team at Thecon have made a tangible impact through their hybrid robot designs for stroke rehabilitation automation. They invented a technology that integrates neuromuscular electrical stimulation and robotics (NMES-robot) into a single system. Previously, they commercialised the Rehabilitation Sleeve and Mobile Exoneuromusculoskeletons for self-help telerehabilitation. These innovations are available in Hong Kong and Mainland China through partnerships with healthcare providers. In 2023, a new robot-assisted stroke rehabilitation service was launched at the Jockey Club Rehabilitation Engineering Clinic to better serve the community.

Cultivating entrepreneurial excellence

At CES 2025, the Mobile Ankle-foot Exoneuromusculoskeleton, along with “Seekr-Smart Teens Actions”, a compact wearable device for the elderly and visually impaired developed by PolyU startup Vidi Labs Limited, received the Innovative Awards in the Accessibility and AgeTech category. This achievement marks the second consecutive year that PolyU has won awards at CES, highlighting the University’s leadership in innovative healthcare solutions and underscoring PolyVentures’ crucial role in nurturing startup.

Ten PolyU startups participated in the Consumer Electronics Show 2025 in Las Vegas, US, showcasing their innovations and entrepreneurship.

Organised by the Consumer Technology Association, CES is the world’s largest and most influential consumer electronics exhibition, featuring over 4,500 global exhibitors. The CES Innovation Awards recognise exceptional design and engineering in 33 product categories, evaluated by an elite panel of judges on criteria such as innovation and aesthetics. This year, eight additional PolyU startups also showcased their innovative inventions at CES 2025 aimed at enhancing human well-being, all aligned with PolyU’s commitment to fostering innovation for driving impactful change.

Watch this video to learn more about Thecon, an academic-led startup supported by PolyVentures.