ADAMO Robot is the world’s first collaborative robot that treats musculoskeletal pathologies and pain, through thermoregulated compressed air, without the need for direct contact. Their solution is a device, created by a physiotherapist, for healthcare professionals that provides support in diagnosis, treatment, and pathology follow-up. Its uniqueness is based on the use of thermoregulated compressed air to deliver its treatment, a thermographic camera for the support in diagnosis and a powerful proprietary cloud-based software for monitoring the evolution of a patient’s recovery.
ADAMO’s effectiveness has been clinically validated by different published studies and they are continuously involved in clinical research to extend and increase its potential application. In fact, the company is currently collaborating with a number of highly regarded research centres, such as CIBIR and The University of Francisco de Vittoria.
Interview with Francesco Di Martino, VP of Sales & Theo Bancroft, International Business Consultant at ADAMO Robot.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Francesco Di Martino & Theo Bancroft: ADAMO Robot’s main areas of activity are centred around tackling the growing global issue of musculoskeletal disorders. In fact, disorders such as lower back pain affect up to 80% of the population during their lifetime, making it one of the leading causes of disability issues. Currently, orthopaedic consultations and services aimed at diagnosing and treating injuries related to physical activity and/or accidents contribute significantly to the occupancy rates of both public and private healthcare services. This results in an average waiting time of 45 to 106 days, in certain national healthcare models, for an initial consultation after an injury. The socio-economic costs associated with these ailments continue to rise year after year in developed countries, and healthcare capabilities are sometimes overwhelmed. It is estimated that the annual social cost of this situation is approximately $873.8 billion.
By utilizing ADAMO Robot as an automated robot that provides physiotherapy-robotized treatment services, utilizing state-of-the-art technological tools to deliver various physiotherapy treatments, it can provide physiotherapists with diagnostic and treatment support, which serves as an excellent aid in enhancing musculoskeletal disorder management and tackling the above issues on a global scale.
E.E: What’s the news about new products/services?
F.D.M & T.B: Currently, we have only created one version of ADAMO Robot. However, we are currently working on the production of a device that operates at 60Hz – which would enable us to be operative in other global markets such as in the US. Furthermore, we are continuously involved in a number of R&D activities in order to prove its effects and the device’s credibility as a whole; including clinical research, the use of AI in disruptive technology, and robotics as a disruptive tool.
E.E: What are the ranges of products/services?
F.D.M & T.B: ADAMO Robot is an integral part of the complete clinical process, supporting diagnosis, treatment, and patient monitoring.
The device features powerful software that allows for patient medical records management, treatment parameterization for personalization, as well as processing and referencing diagnostic support images.
Firstly, it provides healthcare professionals with a thermographic image of the area to be treated, enabling them to make an optimal treatment decision.
From this image, the healthcare professional can now configure the necessary treatment and instruct the robot on the specific points and movements to perform on the patient. They can also program the necessary parameters for each condition (temperature, speed of movement, treatment duration, number of cycles, etc.). Subsequently, ADAMO will autonomously replicate the treatment, and it is even possible to repeat the session on subsequent days without the need for reprogramming from scratch.
E.E: What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
F.D.M & T.B: ADAMO Robot operates in the global physiotherapy equipment market, which reached a market size of US$ 17.7 Billion in 2022. The escalating healthcare expenditure is the major driver of the global market. This is because of the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, such as musculoskeletal disorders, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases among the masses. Along with this, the growing demand for non-invasive treatments is driving the demand for physiotherapy equipment across the globe. These non-invasive treatments, like ADAMO, are widely preferred among individuals, which is further impacting the market. With the aging population across the globe, the demand for physiotherapy equipment that helps in treating age-related conditions has rapidly increased, including arthritis, osteoporosis, and joint pain, which is further catalysing the demand.
With regards to ADAMO in this market, we are in the first stage of commercialisation with customers and partners all over the world, including in: Spain, Lithuania, India, UAE, Philippines, Hong Kong, and Ecuador.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
F.D.M & T.B: The Global Physiotherapy Equipment Market is set to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% to reach €26.2 Billion by 2027. The Musculoskeletal Segment is expected to witness better growth in the Forecast Period due to musculoskeletal health costs to the health care system currently sitting at $420 billion – which is more than diabetes, heart disease or any other chronic condition.
According to the WHO, a recent analysis of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD 2019) data showed that approximately 1.71 billion people globally live with musculoskeletal conditions. Also, in 2020 low back pain (LBP) affected 619 million people globally and it is estimated that the number of cases will increase to 843 million cases by 2050.
Furthermore, Equipsme reveals that NHS patients are waiting an average of 45 days for routine and 18 days for urgent appointments. Waiting times are also higher than they were two years ago (42 days for routine,16 for urgent).
E.E: What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
F.D.M & T.B: Adamo Robot is a unique medical device that can treat MSD’s through thermoregulated compressed air, this also meaning its treatment is both completely contactless and painless – unlike any other device.
ADAMO Robot is also versatile in the types and quantity of movements that it can perform, which are not replicable by other devices. It can perform sweeps in three dimensions, with linear or pendulum-like directions, or maintain continuous or alternating pressure points.
Furthermore, we include diagnosis, pathology follow-up, and patient monitoring as part of the treatment through the thermographic camera and cloud-based software that is built into the ADAMO Robot.
E.E: What estimations do you have for the beginning of 2024?
F.D.M & T.B: As we stand on the cusp of 2024, bolstered by prevailing market trends and the swift uptake of cutting-edge technologies, alongside the burgeoning branding of Adamo, we are primed to fortify our presence within the European Market. Building upon these foundations, we are strategically positioned to forge new local partnerships, not only expanding our reach but also deepening our integration within the European business ecosystem. Moreover, our steadfast commitment to continuous R&D endeavours aimed at developing new features, coupled with ongoing clinical research initiatives, underscores our unwavering dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction. With this multifaceted approach, we anticipate substantial growth and heightened prominence for Adamo Robot across the region in the forthcoming year.