Hollis Pierce captured his first selfie surrounded by the engineering team responsible for the innovative technology. Being 38 years old and using a powered wheelchair, Pierce, a disability advocate, leads accessibility and partnership initiatives at Sielo Robotics in Ottawa.
Part of his role involves testing the company’s assistive robotic arm, Arlo, using a space mouse to navigate in 3D space. Pierce set a personal goal to take a selfie with his phone using the robotic arm, which initially took him about an hour to accomplish. Despite the learning curve, Pierce commended the ease of use of the latest fourth-generation model, likening it to playing a video game.
Sielo Robotics, founded at the University of Ottawa, emphasizes user-centric design inspired by real-world experiences. The company recently secured a million dollars in seed funding, enabling them to expedite their projects. Collaborating with The 8-80 Collaborative, Sielo Robotics aims to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities.
Pierce highlighted the significance of Arlo, noting its potential to assist with essential tasks like personal hygiene and hydration promptly. The company’s Chief Technology Officer, Rafaël Hébert, expressed optimism, citing Pierce’s progress in using the robotic arm for various tasks.
Duplicating intricate human actions in unpredictable settings poses challenges for robotics. Sielo Robotics focuses on incorporating user feedback, considering diverse control methods like eye gaze and joysticks. The team strives to enhance the arm’s capabilities, aiming to simplify tasks for individuals with disabilities using AI technology.
Sielo Robotics aims to create an affordable and insurance-covered device, making it accessible to a broader audience. The recent funding boost accelerates their development efforts, with plans to introduce the robotic arms for beta testing in households by the year’s end.
Pierce, thrilled by the possibilities Arlo presents for future generations, envisions the positive impact it could have on young individuals with disabilities.