CASE STUDIES
Step Sense
Business Development
User Centered Design
Network
Stepsense is an AI software solution developed by Prof. Adar Pelah and his colleagues at the Universities of York and Cambridge. The platform analyses gait by observing a subject on a treadmill and uses gamified imagery presented on a screen to interact with the subject and modify gait through biofeedback. It is designed to interpret gait from video files and signpost metrics to diagnose, manage and monitor chronic musculo-skeletal and neurological conditions.
Headquarters
Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Founded
2013
Services
Gait analysis, business development, investor readiness.
Sector
Medical devices
Company Size
Founded
The Challenge
Our challenge was to gain an understanding of the market and the technology and to develop a validated value proposition that can be used for investor readiness and for strategic planning on segmenting and accessing the market. We were also asked for input on developing the system and evolving it towards a possible app-based smartphone version for greater accessibility. We worked closely with Prof Pelah’s team to seek out commercial opportunities and sources of funding.
The Process
The Crucible team used proprietary product readiness level analysis to identify gaps in investor and market readiness. This led to introductions and meetings with potential commercial partners and clinical users for in-depth customer discovery to understand the current eco-system of providers, payers, customers, and market willingness to adopt the solution, including, critically, an in-depth understanding of barriers to adoption. This included creating as an asset a curated database of UK-registered physiotherapists with a specialist interest in pain management and surgical recuperation. We also assisted with the design and initial testing of a smartphone-based app version (step-sense home) to collect patient gait videos for cloud-based analysis. Introductions were made to potential investors in the US and discussions are ongoing.
More recently we have been working closely with Prof Pelah and colleagues to explore the utility of Stepsense in stroke rehabilitation and Crucible is leading an InnovateUK application to develop the technology in this area for testing in the NHS.
The Outcome
Stepsense continues to be used as a research tool at key institutional centres in Florida, York, and Cambridge. Increasing data and publications demonstrate its utility in the management of osteoarthritis, chronic pain, and other MSK conditions. We have an ongoing long-term collaborative relationship with the Stepsense team and we are addressing commercial and clinical applications in stroke rehabilitation and management of long covid. We are exploring close commercial opportunities related to stroke and chronic pain and discussions with investors are ongoing.
Pathway
Will people but it?
How can I gain
an advantage?
"Partnering with Crucible is accelerating commercialisation of Stepsense. I am looking forward to an ongoing relationship with the Crucible team"
