Research Area · Technology

AI &
Robotics Platform

The intelligence layer underlying every Foundation device: high-channel neural interfaces that read motor intent, adaptive AI systems that learn from each user, and the robotics platform that translates thought into movement.

Neural Interface Adaptive AI Machine Learning BCI Robotics Control Systems

Overview

Every bionic device the Foundation builds sits on the same foundational technology platform: a suite of neural interfaces, AI control systems, and robotic actuators developed in-house and refined continuously across all our research programs. The AI & Robotics Platform team is the common substrate that makes every other research area possible.

The core challenge we address is translation: how do you take signals from a person's nervous system — signals meant to move a biological limb that is no longer there, or that no longer responds — and turn them into precise, natural-feeling movement in a mechanical device? And how do you do this in a way that improves over time, that adapts to each individual user, and that works in the real world, not just in a controlled lab setting?

Our answer is a closed-loop system that reads intent (neural interface), interprets it (adaptive AI), executes it (robotic actuator), and reports back (sensory feedback) — continuously learning at every step.

Core Technology

Neural Interface Platform

FDA Breakthrough

High-Channel Cortical Interface

FDA Breakthrough Device — direct motor cortex recording

A high-channel-count cortical recording interface that captures motor intent directly from the primary motor cortex — enabling control of complex bionic movements without relying on residual peripheral nerve signals. Received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in April 2026.

Clinical Validation

Peripheral Nerve Interface

High-resolution implanted peripheral recording electrode

A minimally invasive peripheral nerve interface providing high-fidelity motor intent signals from residual peripheral nerves — suitable for upper and lower limb prosthetic control, with substantially lower surgical burden than cortical approaches.

Applied Research

Sensory Feedback System

Bidirectional interface for tactile and proprioceptive feedback

The sensory channel of our bidirectional interface: electrical microstimulation patterns delivered to sensory cortex or peripheral sensory nerves to convey grip force, texture, and limb position to prosthetic users — closing the sensorimotor loop.

Core Technology

Adaptive AI Control

Deployed

Personalized Movement Model

Per-user adaptive control via continuous learning

Every Foundation device runs a personalized movement model that begins learning from first use and continuously refines its predictions of user intent — adapting to each individual's movement patterns, residual limb characteristics, and usage context. Devices improve measurably over the first 30 days of use.

Development

Multi-Modal Intent Fusion

Combining neural, EMG, IMU, and vision signals

Rather than relying on a single input channel, our control system fuses signals from multiple modalities — neural recording, surface EMG, inertial measurement, and ambient computer vision — to produce more robust, natural intent interpretation in real-world conditions.

Applied Research

Federated Learning for Bionic Devices

Privacy-preserving fleet learning across all users

A federated learning architecture that allows Foundation devices to learn from aggregate movement patterns across all users — improving the base model for everyone without sharing individual patient data.

Engineering Collaboration

We work with academic AI labs, robotics groups, neuroscience departments, and hardware engineering teams. If your work touches neural interfaces, adaptive control, or bionic actuation systems, let's talk.

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An initiative of the Odegard Foundation · Founded 2016 by Philip Odegard