Healthtech Coviu lands $1.2 million grant to commercialise remote physio solution

Healthtech startup Coviu has secured $1.18 million in government grant funding to commercialise its remote physiotherapy technology, and free up hospital beds.

The Cooperative Research Centre Project (CRC-P) grant has been issued to Coviu along with CSIRO’s Data 61, health clinic HFRC and the School of Sports Science, Exercise and Health at the University of Western Australia.

The $1.18 million will be used to develop and commercialise Coviu’s PhysioROM ‘telehealth’ solution, which conducts range-of-motion analysis via video calls.

Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, and monitoring patients’ progress, the technology allows for remote physiotherapy sessions.

An alternative to continued hospital care, it means patients — particularly those from rural and remote communities — can return home sooner after joint surgery.

Coviu founder and chief Silvia Pfeiffer tells StartupSmart because Australia has so many communities living so far from their closest hospital, doctors are often wary of sending a patient home too early, concerned they may not continue with their rehabilitation exercises.

“If we could do it in a way that gives clinicians confidence they are doing it right, then we can send people home, we can open up a whole bunch of beds … Read more

Stephanie Palmer-Derrien - Startup Smart - 31 Jan 2019