Grandin Has a Grand Plan for KayO Technology

If Dave Grandin has his way, recovery from a sports injury or other orthopedic problem will be tracked, through digital records, every step of the way. Grandin is CEO of KayO Technologies, which is developing a wireless, hand-held device that he hopes will give the Fitchburg company a handle on the physical and occupational therapy market.

The kiio device is the size of the palm of your hand. It is a wireless, force-sensing device that attaches to a rope, cable or exercise band. When a patient pulls on the cord, the kiio device will transmit the exact force readings in a digital stream and transmit them to a computer so the physical or occupational therapist can read the information and analyze it. We use LifelineUSA’s rubber cords and detachable handles; KayO invented the analytical hardware and software.

These devices are not designed to replace therapists; they’re designed to help therapists.

Using exercise cables is better than using free weights, but one of the barriers to broader use of exercise cables is that you can’t tell what you’re doing, how much force you are exerting. That’s where the concept of building an inline force sensor came from.

Read more at the Wisconsin State Journal.