FOCUS MOTION
MOVEMENT ANALYSIS THROUGH MACHINE LEARNING
I founded Focus with the goal to build a deployable system to understand and track human movements leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms in an emerging wearable market. We worked with groups like Samsung, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Lululemon to develop and deliver high quality movement analytics systems on single and multiple sensor platforms.
FocusMotion evolved into a pre and post operative monitoring system called FocusMotion Health and was acquired by Globus Medical, Inc. in 2022.
STARTING UP:
THE CONCEPT
At the end of 2012, there was a proliferation of accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers being worn on the body through companies like Fitbit, Pebble, and Nike. This new sensor acceptance created an opportunity to build a smarter, deeper counting and classification system to understand what someone was doing, how many times they performed a movement, and how well they were doing it.
We were a small team of passionate MBA’s and developers that created a highly accurate motion recognition and classification algorithm for understanding human movement for sports, entertainment, workouts, yoga, occupational safety, and defense.
While in business school, I had the idea for this company; however, I needed to get to a proof of concept first. I’m not a developer or engineer, but I knew what I needed. I spec’d out multiple battery powered sensor systems to be built by engineers in different parts of the country.
One looked like an Atari cartridge, one was literally held together with a sock and a wrist band, and the final one looks more like a wrist watch/band.
Two of them used an RFID reader back when I thought we would be tagging weights with RFID chips.
PROTOTYPES
PROOF OF CONCEPT ⇨ MVP
EXERCISE & SPORT
BEGINNINGS
We began by building a company focused in sport and exercies because there were already devices in the space, a growing need for them, large emcumbant electronic manufacturers were coming into the space (Samsung and Apple had yet to launch watches), and we felt like we were creating the emerging SDK that would drive future devices to monitor and track movement.
I built many (too many) decks, but this one captures that time well while also showing the waveforms and how we were approaching tracking them.
EVOLVING
BROADER PUSH
As we evolved the algorithm and the devices supported, we raised more capital. Beyond salaries and sales, we wanted to move toward a more cohesive design language and media presentation to help our customers and users better understand our offering. This was the first time we’d built a piece of media that reflected what the company was truly trying to accomplish.
Focus Motion Marketing Reel 2015
DODGERS ACCELERATOR
In 2015, LA Dodgers partnered with RGA to create a first-of-its-kind Accelerator, helping to launch innovations in all major sports and define the Dodgers’ brand as technology pioneer. It was the world’s first startup accelerator to be sponsored by a major sports franchise.
They recruited 15 visionary companies in sports, representing breakthroughs on the field of play, in training rooms, across stadium operations, youth sports, and more.
The RGA and Dodgers team worked with each of us to refine business strategy, messaging, branding, product development, storytelling, and the creation of unique pilots and demos, concluding with a demo event in the middle of Dodger Stadium seen here.
Focus Motion pitch at Dodger Stadium.
PIVOT INTO RECOVERY
In 2018, Focus Motion pivoted into FocusMotion Health. While we had some success with clients like Microsoft, Lululemon, Samsung, and Nintendo, we needed to find a better home for the algorithm. An advisor of ours nudged us in the direction of pre and post operative recovery for orthopedic surgeries.
With feedback and multiple studies urging us to move forward, we found that we had a perfect combination of movement recognition algorithm, software, and product knowledge to create a reimbursable recovery option that would guide patients through pre and post operative periods.
We created the FM2 Knee Recovery Platform designed specifically to meet the needs of patients and physicians looking to track patients both before and after Total Knee Replacement (Arthroplasty). We went from physical concept to working, reimbursable knee brace with PDAC approval in about 10 months.
PATENTS:
Over the course of the company, we were granted three patents for tracking movement and repetitive data.
9,314,666
System and method for controlling an exercise device
9,654,234
System and method for automatically time labeling repetitive data
10,335,637
Exercise monitor and method thereof
Journal of Arthroplasty
October 2019
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Lower Extremity Arthroplasty: A Review
STUDIES / PUBLICATIONS
Focus Motion was utilized in a variety of studies from Washington University to Cleveland Clinic
Journal of Arthroplasty
June 2017
Artificial Intelligence and Arthroplasty at a Single Institution: Real-World Applications of Machine Learning to Big Data, Value-Based Care, Mobile Health, and Remote Patient Monitoring
Journal of Arthroplasty
July 2023
Patients’ Perceptions of Remote Monitoring and App-Based Rehabilitation Programs: A Comparison of Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
Journal of Arthroplasty
June 2023
Sleep Disturbances Following Total Knee Arthroplasty
Arthroscopy Association of North America
May 2021
Clinical and Research Medical Applications of Artificial Intelligence
PRESS
AWARDS
Focus Motion won design and innovation awards from Cannes Lion to the Webby to D&AD awards.
EXIT & THOUGHTS
Focus Motion was acquired by Globus Medical, Inc. in 2022.
As a original founder and CEO of the medical technology startup FocusMotion, I developed a data-driven orthopedic recovery solution that combined wearable technology with physical therapy methods to monitor patients' progress and recovery after surgery.
Key aspects of my experience at Focus:
Motion recognition technology:
Led the development of a system that uses machine learning to map and analyze human movement, helping to optimize patient recovery.Wearable device and app:
We created a connected wearable and application that tracked joint data and supports patients with their rehabilitation plans.Deep learning system:
FocusMotion built a deep learning system that automatically assesses patients both before and after surgery.Web platform for care teams:
The platform included a web interface that allows surgeons and care teams to monitor a patient's recovery, identify issues early, and intervene when necessary.Investment and support:
We received investment and guidance from prominent firms, including Bryant Stibel, the LA Dodgers, Alex Rodriguez, Stadia Ventures, and Wavemaker 360.