From the Phoenix Business Journal regarding the WearTech Applied Research Center at Park Central
The Arizona Commerce Authority and industry leaders are investing $4.2 million to support commercialization of seven new applied research projects in Arizona within the wearable tech sector.
The Partnership for Economic Innovation announced Monday it received $2 million from the ACA and $2.2 million in private sector funding to back a fourth cohort of companies affiliated with the Phoenix-based WearTech Applied Research Center and projects developed in collaboration with Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University and Grand Canyon University.
The funding will advance wearable tech projects that include a fall detector for senior living facilities, virtual reality haptic gloves for stroke rehabilitation, a device that aids in cardiorenal disease management and more, according to the PEI.
In addition, the new infusion of capital will support sustainability-related projects for the semiconductor and renewable energy industries.
“Arizona has established itself as a leader in innovation, with impressive growth projections that highlight the need to build on our momentum,” John Graham, president and CEO of Sunbelt Holdings and board chair of the Partnership for Economic Innovation, said in a statement. “These new applied research projects led by Arizona companies in collaboration with universities highlight the pioneering technologies that are setting Arizona apart in the wearable tech, semiconductor and battery manufacturing sectors.”
The WearTech Center’s fourth cohort of projects in Phoenix include:
- Movement Interactive’s Hiji Sense, which detects slips and falls at senior living facilities
- Gravitrex’s device to help with walking rehabilitation
- Unlimited Tomorrow’s virtual reality haptic gloves for stroke rehabilitation
- Aventyn’s Chaperone, a wearable device that aids in cardiorenal metabolic disease management
- TF Health’s ketone and fat burning monitoring device
- Biomotum’s SPARKe, a wearable activity-promoting device for older adults
PEI’s applied research projects based at Arizona State University include:
- Black Teal Energy’s universal battery management system for the renewable energy industry
- Purity Resource’s isopropanol processing system for the semiconductor industry
“This applied research funding accelerates Purity ReSource’s development technology that advances sustainability in semiconductor manufacturing. Since moving our company from California to Arizona about one and a half years ago, we’ve been able to build strong connections in the region’s booming semiconductor ecosystem,” Daniel Alvarez, CEO and founder of Purity ReSource, said in a statement. “Now, with this funding, these partnerships can come to life as we work together to make chipmaking more sustainable.”
The WearTech Applied Research Center at Park Central in midtown Phoenix is a public-private partnership between the Partnership for Economic Innovation, Arizona State University and the state government.
The WearTech Center launched in 2019 with a mission to expand the wearable technology ecosystem in the state and has supported 28 projects since its inception. What’s more, Pierre-Alexandre Fournier — an advisory board member for WearTech and founder of Hexoskin — recently landed a major government contract to develop a wearable health technology system for the first space station to orbit the moon, the Business Journal previously reported.
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