develop a robotic arm to assist people with reduced mobility
For individuals with reduced mobility, certain movements are difficult, if not impossible, to make. But the invention of the JACO robotic arm has changed all that: thanks to this robotic “helping hand,” it is now possible to carry out such precise movements as picking up an egg or pouring water into a glass! JACO was created by Montréal company Kinova. Founded in 2006 by Charles Deguire and Louis-Joseph Caron L’Écuyer, the company seeks to bring concrete and practical solutions to people with upper body mobility limitations. The inspiration for the JACO robotic arm came from Charles Deguire’s uncle, Jacques Forest, who, when stricken with muscular dystrophy, had created his own automated arm. This is why the new generation of technology proudly bears his nickname, JACO. The entrepreneur and co-inventor further elaborated on the device created by Mr. Forest, who passed away a few years ago. The instrument, which can integrate with a powered wheelchair, a bed, or a workstation, was finally launched in 2009. Kinova’s invention has been recognized for its originality: it won First Prize in the in the Technological and Technical Innovation category at the Québec Entrepreneurship Contest, and a prize for most innovative project in the national BDC Enterprize Competition. JACO was named innovation of the year at France’s Salon Autonomic in January 2010.
