ATDev’s Robotic Revolution: Bringing Advanced Mobility Solutions to People with Disabilities

Assistive Technology Development Inc. (ATDev) is pioneering the next generation of robotic systems to address mobility and manipulation challenges for people with disabilities. Co-founded by Owen Kent, a lifelong wheelchair user with muscular dystrophy, and Todd Roberts, the company has developed innovative technologies that combine robotics and AI to enhance rehabilitation and daily living.

The Birth of a Vision

Kent and Roberts met as roommates at UC Berkeley, where their shared passion for assistive technology led to a class project that evolved into a company. Their journey included funding from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and venture capital, with their first VC check of $200,000 coming from UC Berkeley’s Skydeck program in 2022.

Reflex: Revolutionizing Rehabilitation

ATDev’s flagship product, Reflex, is a lightweight robotic device weighing less than 5 pounds that straps onto a user’s leg for orthopedic knee rehabilitation. The system includes sensors for remote monitoring and guided exercises, allowing for more consistent therapy than traditional sessions with human therapists.

Kent emphasizes that Reflex isn’t designed to replace physical therapists but to make them “10x more effective.” The company has already demonstrated that this physical therapy device can obtain insurance reimbursements, potentially providing support over longer timeframes than conventional therapy.

RAAMP Program: Federal Backing for Innovation

In November, ATDev announced its role as a subcontractor in the Robotic Assistive Mobility and Manipulation Platform (RAMMP) program. The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) awarded up to $41 million to the University of Pittsburgh for this initiative, which aims to create open-source robotic technologies that help people with disabilities live more independently.

The company’s proposal focuses on solving challenging problems like autonomous navigation and safe feeding for people with quadriplegia. Despite the potential challenges of changing administrations, the project was greenlit in September 2025 before a government shutdown, with work beginning in October.

User-Centered Design Approach

ATDev places a strong emphasis on involving end users in the design process. Kent expressed frustration that his $40,000 wheelchair uses decades-old technology that’s less advanced than a $50 robotics kit from Amazon. The company has conducted over 200 customer interviews with wheelchair users to understand their needs and preferences.

“Our vision for this company is to really have the end users have an active seat at the table,” says Kent. The company plans to build extensive advisory boards of end users and eventually employ people with disabilities as remote support technicians who can bring their own experiences to understanding the technology.

Future Directions

While one division of ATDev focuses on bringing Reflex to market, another team is working on developing a robotic wheelchair. Their next milestone involves demonstrating a “simple” task with a higher level of autonomy, combining computer vision, a robotic arm, and a wheeled platform.

Roberts articulates the company’s broader vision: “to create an ecosystem of devices that enable people to stay independent, no matter their level of physical function.” This ecosystem will include various robotic systems, from lightweight exoskeletons like Reflex to advanced robotic wheelchairs.

Partnerships and Presence

ATDev has established partnerships with technology leaders like NVIDIA, Amazon Web Services, Kinova Robotics, and LUCI Mobility. The company also collaborates with several universities, including the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Northeastern, and Purdue. ATDev exhibited at CES, showcasing their innovations to a broader audience.