Our spotlight company: Independence Robotics
Independence Robotics is a research and development startup company that develops affordable, assistive robotics to help people with limited mobility live more independent lifestyles. Their goal is to provide a practical, cost-effective assistive robotic arm that increases independence in daily tasks. They have a user-centred approach, working directly with individuals with lived experience of limited mobility, occupational therapists, and caregivers to ensure our design meets real-world needs. They conduct extensive research on assistive technology barriers, including cost, regulatory challenges, and usability, to refine their product for practical deployment. They collaborate with users, researchers, and clinicians to validate our technology and integrate it into existing assistive frameworks. Their patent-pending design focuses on accessibility, ease of use, and affordability to improve quality of life.
What impact do you hope to make through your entrepreneurial endeavour?
We are committed to transforming the lives of individuals with limited mobility through technology. The inability to retrieve items independently massively affects our clients’ mental health and further strains scarce health-care resources. The mobile robotic arm can be controlled using a web app with a live feed, giving users the complete sovereignty and confidence to pilot the device with relative ease. Our mobile robotic arm allows users to reclaim their independence, by giving them the power to complete everyday tasks without constant assistance. By reducing reliance on caregivers, our arm helps ease caregiver burden while optimizing healthcare resources — contributing to a more sustainable care model. While there are similar expensive devices out there, the fact that we are developing and subsequently going to sell the product at a lower cost makes our product more accessible for users.
Our impact goes beyond physical autonomy. By raising awareness about the importance of accessibility and inclusive design, we are helping to reshape societal attitudes toward disability and mobility challenges. We, as well as the team, believe that freedom and autonomy shouldn’t just be a privilege, but a right. Increased autonomy allows for improved mental well-being, boosts confidence, and encourages greater social participation, allowing individuals to engage more fully in their communities and pursue personal and professional goals.
What advice would you give to those who are interested in starting their own business?
Lucy: Start it. My advice would be to turn that “one day” into “Day One.” One of the things that I’ve learned since coming to the University of Ottawa is that waiting for your opportunity is futile, and that the best choice is to go out and start the process yourself. Even if you feel like you aren’t in the position to do so, just getting to that stage where you can start is empowering. There are plenty of resources around in the University and around the city dedicated to supporting valiant entrepreneurs, but they won’t just come to you — you need to put in the work yourself and reach out to them. Failure is inevitable, and a point for pivoting or growth, so worrying about it or being afraid of it is a non-starter. If you are really passionate about entrepreneurship, even if it's just an idea, writing it down and coming up with steps on how to make it happen may just be what you need to get the ball rolling.
Laila: My advice for anyone starting a business, especially students, is to not limit yourself with self-doubt. If something feels out of reach, don’t convince yourself it's impossible- instead, believe you are capable of achieving it. It may sound cliché, but confidence is crucial to making things happen. Personally, I’ve accomplished everything so far without initially having all the necessary skills- I learned along the way, sought mentorship, and asked for help when needed. If you feel like there’s a gap in your knowledge, skills, or capabilities, it doesn’t mean you can’t do something- it’s an opportunity to learn and grow. Every challenge is a chance to add another skill and experience to your toolkit. Mentorship and conversations with others are also crucial when starting out. Those initial discussions played a key role in shaping my path and helping me navigate the journey. Seeking guidance and learning from others' experiences can make all the difference in getting started and moving forward.