BIONIKS: AI-driven Prosthetics Empowering People with Disabilities in Pakistan and Beyond
Pakistan is home to an estimated 3 million to 27 million people with disabilities, including both physical and intellectual impairments, depending on the definitions and methods used. A significant proportion of this number faces functional limitations due to lack of mobility that range from inability to perform everyday tasks to discrimination in workplaces and public spaces. Despite ratifying acts to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, the actual implementation remains weak, and most physical spaces continue to be inaccessible to them.
Considering the challenge, Bioniks was founded in 2016 with the mission to provide innovative solutions to assist individuals with physical disabilities, and to restore their mobility and independence. The company produces customized prosthetics using AI and 3D scanning. While several local manufacturers of artificial limbs operate in Pakistan, Bioniks stands out for two reasons: it produces bionic limbs equipped with sensory technology that withstand heat and water, and it offers these products at affordable prices, while maintaining quality on par with global standards. To quote the founder, “the cost of a Bioniks’ arm is ten times lower than that of any advanced bionic arm available worldwide.” Further tackling the cost factor, Bioniks also has a network of sponsors who pay for prosthetics for those who cannot afford them otherwise.
Bioniks offers prosthetics in different models. Currently, they have listed three types of bionic arms: Zindagi 2.0, Zindagi X, and Black X, which differ in their technological abilities and cosmetic look. The AI-powered limbs use EMG sensors to detect muscle signals from residual limbs, converting them into natural, intuitive movements, giving the users the ability to perform 80% of the movements as someone with natural limbs. The company also offers training, physiotherapy and continuous support to maximize functionality, and to help the users adjust to the new prosthetic limbs. To make the process hassle-free, they also connect the limbs to a mobile app which can be operated using a smartphone.
Since its inception, Bioniks has provided more than 1,000 AI-run customized prosthetic limbs in Pakistan. It has garnered significant attention from within the country, and around the world. Provincial governments have partnered with the company to provide limbs to the needy, including victims of terrorism, reducing reliance on imported prosthetics. Globally, Bioniks recently made its first international delivery, providing prosthetic arms to children affected by the war in Gaza. With the success of this endeavor, Bioniks hopes to provide limbs to people affected by other conflicts as well, and pioneer large scale solutions. In recognition of its philanthropic endeavors, the company was conferred the Zero Project Award, which gained it global recognition and helped it enter a network of experts focused on innovative solutions. However, it still needs financial support and endowments to turn its aspirations into reality, and is actively seeking philanthropies, governments, and international partners. The initiative has tremendous potential, and with the right support, can evolve into a global leader in the field of bionics.
