Supporting startups driving the development of gerontech
Other Articles
Two startups, co-founded by PolyU alumni and supported by the University, have made significant breakthroughs in gerontech product development. Their products not only enhance the quality of life for elderly and disabled individuals but also increase efficiency and alleviate the workload of healthcare workers.
Promoting freedom of travel with smart wheelchairs
Mr Jojo Xu (left) and Mr Alex Lam (right) , co-founder of Libpet Tech Limited, with the smart all-terrain wheelchair TENK.
Startup | Libpet Tech Limited |
Co-founders | Mr Jojo Xu - MSc in Electronic and Information Engineering Programme (2021) |
Innovation | TENK - a smart all-terrain wheelchair |
Features | The wheelchair employs an exclusive, patented wheel belt system that can navigate rough terrains like grassland, beaches, and stairs, as well as cross-platform gaps at train stations without requiring assistance. |
Benefits | This allows physically challenged people to travel independently and with ease. In case of an emergency, the smart system can immediately send alerts to caregivers and medical institutions for assistance. |
Applications | Libpet has collaborated with organisations including the Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth and Yang Memorial Methodist Social Service for product trials and testing. |
Prospects | The startup has launched its wheelchair and currently has orders from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and South Africa. In the coming years, the company plans to expand its target markets in 2024-25 to include Japan, Singapore, Korea, and the Greater Bay Area, as well as Europe and North America in 2025-26. |
Relieving healthcare workers’ workload with anti-infection mobile toilet
Mr Phil Woo (left) and Mr Kong Lee (right), co-founders of PREN Limited, with the allcareAI™ anti-infection mobile toilet.
Startup | PREN Limited |
Co-founders | Mr Phil Woo Pak-fai – BA (Hons) in English for Business and Professional Communication in 2008, and a Master of Design (Design Strategies) in 2013 |
Innovation | allcareAI™ - anti-infection mobile toilet |
Features | Controlled by built-in sensors in a patented integrated design, allcareAI's toilet seat and bowl are wrapped in a specially designed seat cover and excretion collecting bag to seal the dropped excretion into the temporary storage compartment below the mobile toilet, and automatically replaced with a new seat cover and excretion collecting bag in an unmanned way. |
Benefits | Healthcare workers only need to collect the sealed bags from the temporary storage compartment for direct disposal, saving 74% time for cleaning and disinfection before and after each use. This process is both convenient and hygienic, and helps to prevent odour and excretion spills. |
Applications | The anti-infection mobile toilet is currently undergoing trials and testing in various residential care homes in collaboration with the PolyU Jockey Club Rehabilitation Engineering Clinic. Additionally, PREN has been included in the supplier list of the Hospital Authority. |
Prospects | The startup plans to introduce its products to the local market by the end of this year and expand to the Greater Bay Area within the next two years. |
