Relearning how to walk after a stroke can be an arduous process. Traditional rehabilitation equipment is often bulky, expensive and limited in what it can do.
New robotic supports and complementary training programmes from RT HealthTech, a Hong Kong start-up, could provide a user-friendly and cost-effective alternative.
The company’s bionic aids have been designed for stroke survivors as well as other groups struggling with muscle coordination, including children with cerebral palsy and older adults with impaired mobility.
Advanced versions also incorporate brain-computer interface (BCI) technology to help initiate movement and accelerate progress for patients with little voluntary muscle control.
“Our mission is to create life-changing solutions through advanced medical technologies and innovative robotics,” explains RT HealthTech’s CEO, Xiangqian Shi.
RT HealthTech was spun out of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) by Prof Raymond Tong in 2024 to commercialise rehabilitation technologies developed within CUHK’s Department of Biomedical Engineering.
The start-up’s flagship products include XoMuscle, a lightweight and flexible wearable for the hips and wrists. This is intended for use in hospitals and rehabilitation centres to help patients with severe muscle weakness.
XoBrace, an inflatable padding for the knees and elbows, can be used at home to assist with sports injuries as well as elderly mobility.
In the future, the company envisions a simpler version of XoMuscle for home use as well.
Patients can find it difficult to access consistent therapy, especially outside clinical settings, Mr Shi notes.
Personalised, user-friendly and effective home-based rehabilitation can help.
At the same time, the rise of the silver economy is creating more opportunities for home and community care, as ageing populations seek greater independence.
“Our wearable robotics directly respond to this need,” Mr Shi says.
Growth opportunities
RT HealthTech’s potential has been further recognised as a winner of Start-up Express, a start-up development programme run by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
This has provided global exposure, investor connections and partnership opportunities that are critical for a young medtech firm, Mr Shi highlights.
Pariciptating in HKTDC events also helped the tech innovator expand its network and stay up to date on industry trends.
It held the official launch of XoBrace at last year’s Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair, where it also showcased XoMuscle and its BCI-based rehabilitation solutions.
It also engaged with global health experts, investors and potential partners at the Asia Summit on Global Health, and deepened its understanding of digital marketing and cross-border e-commerce opportunities at Entrepreneur Day.
These connections and insights, facilitated by the HKTDC, are paving the way for future market expansion, Mr Shi notes.
To sustain its momentum, the start-up is looking to raise around HK$15 million (~US$2 million) from angel investors.
Additional funding, along with new partnerships and optimised production processes, could help the company tackle key challenges, such as high certification costs and manufacturing complexity.
Its current priority is leveraging Hong Kong’s strong R&D ecosystem and regulatory framework to validate its devices and training programmes before scaling up in the Chinese Mainland.
Hong Kong’s strengths have enabled RT HealthTech to transform from a research-driven concept into a market-ready solution with international potential, Mr Shi remarks.
Over the longer term, the company anticipates launching in Southeast Asia and Europe, as global demand for home-based rehabilitation grows.
It is also planning further product enhancements, such as AI-driven adaptive training and a neuro-muscle interface for multi-joint assistance.
“These future capabilities will transform our devices from passive support tools into intelligent rehabilitation partners, enabling patients to regain independence more quickly and completely.”