MOVIA Robotics

Summary

About

About MOVIA Robotics

MOVIA Robotics develops robot-assisted instruction software for children with autism and other developmental needs. Educators, therapists and caregivers use structured lessons to practise communication, social interaction, learning readiness and academic skills. A social robot presents repeatable activities while an adult selects content and follows the child's learning plan. Session data supports progress tracking and adjustments to instruction.

The software supports third-party robots including NAO, iPal, Kebbi and Pepper. School and therapy programmes combine curriculum, setup, training and support; HomePal extends guided activities to families. The approach grew from founder Timothy Gifford's social-robotics research at the University of Connecticut. Following the former operator's Chapter 11 proceedings, the business continued as MOVIA Inc.; Clean Feet Investors II reported acquiring majority ownership in September 2023. The company continues to supply software-guided instruction for classroom, clinical and home settings.

PRICE
Range 1Y
Return
High
Low
Updated
DATA: KORTHOS

Funding

Team

  • Timothy Gifford - Founder - Developed the social-robotics research underlying MOVIA's robot-assisted instruction software.
  • Jean-Pierre Bolat - Chief Executive Officer (as of 2022)
  • Kate Adams - Chief Executive Officer (as of September 2023) - Retained as CEO when the business continued as Movia Inc. under Clean Feet majority ownership in September 2023.
  • Jay Corgiat - Board chairman (appointed September 2023) - Appointed chairman of the new Movia Inc. board following the Clean Feet majority acquisition in September 2023.

Timeline

Events

  • 2023-09-18 - Acquisition - MOVIA business continues under Clean Feet majority ownership

    The business was restructured as Movia Inc. following the former operator's Chapter 11 proceedings. Founder Timothy Gifford continued with the business, while Kate Adams was retained as CEO and Jay Corgiat was named board chairman. Earlier financing included senior secured loans from Clean Feet Investors I in 2020 and 2021 and an equity investment by ZFC Capital Partners II; the combined Clean Feet funds financed the transition.

    Source
  • 2021-12-06 - Product Launch - MOVIA launches TheraPal digital health aides

    The launch followed FDA registration of the three products on 9 October 2021 as tools supporting healthcare professionals. TheraPal Home and Clinical Assist Aide deliver robot-assisted activities for cognitive, communication, educational and daily-living skills. The Progress Tracker collects session metrics so clinicians and caregivers can monitor outcomes and adjust individual treatment plans.

    Source
  • 2021-11-23 - Deployment - Andover Public Schools purchases three MOVIA robots

    The district introduced three robots in the Bridge Autism Program at Shawsheen Preschool. Children used iPad-linked activities to practise interpreting facial expressions, receive verbal feedback and progress through learning tasks. A federal grant funded the purchase, and the district planned to evaluate the systems before considering broader use.

    Source
  • 2020-11-02 - Funding - MOVIA discloses USD 500,000 debt investment

    Clean Feet Investors provided the USD 500,000 investment through a debt note. MOVIA planned to use the financing to grow its team and increase marketing, public-relations and customer-awareness work. The company reported that its systems were already used in 145 elementary-school classrooms through a U.S. Department of Defense contract.

    Source

Relations

Relationships

  • Andover Public Schools

    Education Customer - Andover Public Schools purchased three MOVIA robots for its preschool autism programme.

  • Clean Feet Investors II LP

    Majority Owner - Clean Feet Investors II reported acquiring majority ownership of the business restructured as Movia Inc. in September 2023.

Context

Context tags

  • Robot-assisted instruction - Workflow - https://moviarobotics.com/ -- Delivers curriculum and progress tracking through NAO, iPal, Kebbi and Pepper; software/instruction workflow, not humanoid hardware builder.