Company: Motus Company (Myo by Motus)
Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
Founded: 2015
Status: Private
Focus: Non-invasive Brain-Computer Interface for Stroke Rehabilitation
Website: www.motuscompany.com
Motus is a neurotechnology company specializing in non-invasive brain-computer interfaces for stroke rehabilitation. The company's flagship product, Myo, is a wearable EMG-based BCI device designed to help stroke patients regain motor function through targeted rehabilitation exercises[1]. The Myo armband was originally developed by Thalmic Labs (now known as North) and was later adapted for rehabilitation applications by Motus, focusing specifically on therapeutic use cases for motor recovery in stroke survivors.
The company's technology leverages surface electromyography (sEMG) to detect muscle activity and translate it into control signals for rehabilitation applications. By providing real-time feedback on muscle activation patterns, the Myo enables patients to visualize their motor intentions and track progress during recovery. This approach is grounded in the principles of neuroplasticity — the brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections following injury[2].
Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, with approximately 15 million people experiencing a stroke each year[3]. Of these, roughly 5 million survive with some form of permanent disability, requiring ongoing rehabilitation to maximize functional recovery. The most common post-stroke deficits include hemiparesis (weakness on one side of the body), aphasia (language impairment), and cognitive deficits.
Motor recovery is a critical component of stroke rehabilitation, with the greatest potential for improvement occurring in the first three to six months following the event. However, evidence suggests that rehabilitation outcomes can continue to improve with intensive, targeted therapy even months or years after stroke[4]. This creates a substantial market opportunity for technologies that can enhance and prolong the rehabilitation process.
The global stroke rehabilitation devices market was valued at approximately $3 billion in 2023, with projections indicating 8-12% annual growth through 2030. Key drivers include:
The Myo armband is a wireless gesture control and motion capture device that uses EMG sensors to detect muscle activity. Originally designed for human-computer interaction and gaming applications, the device has been adapted for rehabilitation use cases[5].
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Sensors | 8 EMG sensors arranged in a ring configuration |
| IMU | 9-axis inertial measurement unit (accelerometer + gyroscope + magnetometer) |
| Sampling Rate | 200 Hz for EMG, 50 Hz for IMU |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE 4.0)[6] |
| Battery | Rechargeable lithium-polymer, ~18 hours continuous use |
| Form Factor | Adjustable elastic armband, fits most adult arm sizes |
| Weight | Approximately 48 grams |
| Water Resistance | IP54 (splash resistant) |
The EMG sensors detect the electrical activity of underlying muscles through the skin, providing information about muscle activation timing, intensity, and duration. The integrated IMU captures arm position, orientation, and movement velocity, enabling comprehensive tracking of motor performance[7].
Motus provides a software platform that integrates with the Myo armband to deliver rehabilitation exercises:
The Myo platform offers several technical advantages for rehabilitation:
The primary application of Motus technology is in stroke rehabilitation, where the Myo armband is used to:
The Motus approach engages multiple mechanisms important for stroke recovery:
Neuroplasticity: The device provides proprioceptive feedback that can help drive cortical reorganization. Research has shown that active, task-specific practice with sensory feedback promotes neuroplastic changes in the motor cortex following stroke[2:1].
Motor learning: By providing real-time feedback on movement quality, the Myo supports motor learning principles including error correction, repetition, and progressive challenge[9].
BDNF signaling: Successful motor learning and intensive practice are associated with increased BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) expression, which supports synaptic plasticity and long-term potentiation[10].
Cortical oscillations: Motor attempts generate specific cortical oscillation patterns that can be monitored and reinforced through feedback[11].
Beyond stroke, the Myo platform has potential applications in:
Motus competes in the non-invasive BCI and rehabilitation technology space with several companies:
| Company | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Emotiv | EPOC X | EEG-based BCI, 14+ channels |
| OpenBCI | Ganglion | Open-source, extensible |
| g.tec | g.tec BCI | Research-grade, high precision |
| Cognixion | ONE | EEG-based, communication focus |
| bitbrain | MindSurge | Dry EEG sensors |
Motus differentiates itself through several factors:
The Myo armband has received regulatory clearance for rehabilitation applications:
The device is classified as a Class II medical device in the United States and falls under the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) as a Class IIa device.
While the Myo armband has been available for several years, published clinical evidence specific to Motus's rehabilitation applications is still emerging. However, the underlying EMG-based motor rehabilitation approach has substantial supporting evidence:
Further clinical trials specifically evaluating Motus technology are underway and expected to report results in the coming years.
Motor rehabilitation through EMG-based feedback engages multiple neural pathways:
Recovery depends on experience-dependent synaptic plasticity, where repeated activation of specific neural circuits strengthens the connections between neurons[13]. The Myo platform supports this process by:
The ultimate goal of rehabilitation is restoration of functional abilities:
Motus is pursuing several development paths to enhance its technology:
Motus's BCI technology interfaces with several key neurodegenerative disease mechanisms:
Myo armband: design and evaluation of an EMG-based gesture control device. Proceedings of the 2014 ACM Conference on Designing Interactive Systems. 2014. ↩︎
Neuroplasticity and motor recovery in stroke survivors. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair. 2019. ↩︎ ↩︎
Global stroke epidemiology and risk factors. International Journal of Stroke. 2023. ↩︎
Motor cortex reorganization after stroke: the role of rehabilitation. Brain. 2017. ↩︎
EMG-based brain-computer interface for stroke rehabilitation. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. 2018. ↩︎
Bluetooth Low Energy for medical wearable devices. IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics. 2023. ↩︎
Inertial measurement units in movement analysis and rehabilitation. Sensors. 2023. ↩︎
Non-invasive brain-computer interfaces for motor rehabilitation after stroke. Nature Reviews Neurology. 2022. ↩︎ ↩︎
EMG biofeedback in stroke rehabilitation: a systematic review. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2020. ↩︎ ↩︎
BDNF and motor learning in stroke rehabilitation. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2023. ↩︎
Cortical oscillations in motor control and rehabilitation. NeuroImage. 2022. ↩︎
Synaptic plasticity in stroke recovery. Current Opinion in Neurobiology. 2021. ↩︎
Gamified rehabilitation: enhancing patient engagement and outcomes. Games for Health Journal. 2023. ↩︎