When Hollis Pierce captured his first selfie, he was surrounded by the team of engineers responsible for the innovative technology. Pierce, a 38-year-old advocate for individuals with physical disabilities, shared his excitement about the milestone. As the Head of Accessibility and Partnerships at Sielo Robotics in Ottawa, he plays a crucial role in testing the company’s products.
Using a space mouse, Pierce can control Arlo, the company’s assistive robotic arm, in six dimensions. It took him about an hour to master the task of taking a selfie with his phone using the robotic arm. Despite an initial learning curve, Pierce described the latest fourth-generation model as intuitive, almost like playing a video game.
Sielo Robotics, founded at the University of Ottawa, emphasizes user experience in their design process. The company recently secured a million dollars in seed funding, fueling their mission to accelerate development. Laila Burns, the Chief Revenue Officer, highlighted the grassroots support they received, enabling them to progress without traditional venture capital backing.
Collaborating with The 8-80 Collaborative, Sielo Robotics aims to bring Arlo into households and communities, requiring feedback from users like Pierce. He emphasized the practical benefits the robotic arm could offer, simplifying everyday tasks like getting a drink or wiping his nose without the need for immediate assistance.
Rafaël Hébert, the Chief Technology Officer, expressed optimism witnessing users like Pierce leverage the technology to enhance their independence. Sielo Robotics faces the challenge of replicating intricate human actions in various settings, with the input from diverse users helping to refine their products.
Masoud Karimi, the robotics control engineer, is developing an AI-enabled system to enhance Arlo’s capabilities in recording and executing routine tasks efficiently. The company’s ultimate goal is to create an affordable device covered by insurance, revolutionizing accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
With the recent funding injection, Sielo Robotics aims to expedite their progress and intends to have their robotic arms available for beta testing in homes by the year’s end. Pierce, seeing improvements in his selfie-taking skills, envisions the transformative impact Arlo could have on future generations, particularly if integrated early in the lives of individuals with disabilities.