The assistive tech pirates
ORTHOPUS set sail in 2018 to shake things up—introducing a more transparent, joyful, and collaborative approach to medical devices for disability.
Our manifesto
Assistive technologies must put power in your hands.
At ORTHOPUS, our robots have only one goal: to put you back in control.
Create. Dream. Act and interact. Participate. Resist. Dance. Help. Express yourself.
Follow your own rules, in life’s big and small moments.
At ORTHOPUS, we are hacking the codes of an industry that infantilizes users and unfairly perpetuates opacity.
Our alternative is simple: transparent pricing and shared knowledge, because knowledge is a lever for freedom.
As a user, your voice matters. We give you a say in our product design and strategic choices.
Our ambition? To enforce fairer standards in healthcare, and force tech to focus on humans.
ORTHOPUS gives power back to you. Take control.
What moves us
Our code
LOGBOOK
OUR NAVIGATION TIMELINE
2017
> Birth of the idea
After 13 years in humanoid robotics, David met Nicolas Huchet. This pioneer of DIY assistive technology for disabilities had launched the My Human Kit association in Rennes. Struck by the inequalities in access to assistive devices, David was convinced of the potential for innovation in this field. He decided to put his skills to work for human mobility.
2018
> Creation of ORTHOPUS in Nantes
The original project was to develop affordable, repairable, open-source hand and arm prosthetics for developing countries.
2019
>ESUS Certification
ORTHOPUS was officially recognized with the ESUS certification (Social Enterprise of Solidarity Utility) for its social commitment as an impact company.
> Pre-Seed Funding Round
€500K raised from two Business angels.
> Start of development on a robotic arm assistant
In parallel with the prosthetics.
2020
> Winner of the Bpifrance i-Lab Innovation Contest
For the use of modular technology building blocks in the design of a product range for arm mobility assistance.
> Commercialization
Of a mechanical hand prosthetic kit.
2021
> The pivot
A last-minute withdrawal by a potential new investor forced the crew to make a tough call. We had to choose between pursuing the prosthetic line or the robotic assistant line. Collectively, the choice was made to focus on robotic assistants for people in power wheelchairs.
2022
> Winner of the Bpifrance i-Nov Innovation Contest
For our robotic actuator technology used in our devices
2023
>Commercialization of the ORTHOPUS Supporter
The first device in the range designed to assist arm movement
> Seed Funding Round
€2M raised from a first Family Office and Bpifrance
> Winner of the France 2030 Program
For the development of new intuitive control modes
2024
> Series A Funding Round - Tranche 0
€800K raised from the historical Family Office
> Winner of the "Robotics Transfer Challenge”
For a research project on robotic arm control modes.
2025
> Levée de fond - Série A tranche 1
€1.6M raised from our Historical Family Office and two new ones
THE FOUNDER
A mission-driven roboticist
Holding a PhD in robotics and co-founder of Aldebaran Robotics in 2005, David Gouaillier completed his thesis on the design of the NAO humanoid robot, which has proven highly effective for children with autism spectrum disorders.
As a movement specialist, David decided to channel his technical skills into human mobility. He founded ORTHOPUS in November 2018.
ORTHOPUS founder
Meet the crew
R&D, Production, Strategic Development, Quality, Communications: who are the pirates steering the ship on course?