Fourier Intelligence Secures $630M Series D Led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Pioneering Rehabilitation Robotics in Global Tech Arena

VCBeat (WeChat: vcbeat) learned that on January 26, 2022, Fourier Intelligence announced the recent completion of its Series D financing round, raising RMB 400 million. The round was led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2, with participation from Prosperity7 Ventures, the venture capital arm of Saudi Aramco, and Vision Capital. Fourier Intelligence is the first company in the rehabilitation robotics sector to complete a Series D financing round, setting a record for the largest single-round funding amount in this field.

Gu Jie, Founder and CEO of Fourier Intelligence, stated that this round of financing will be used to develop intelligent robotics technology, strengthen competitive advantages, accelerate the global deployment and adoption of rehabilitation robotics products, and continuously enhance rehabilitation service capabilities to meet customer needs.

Fourier Intelligence, founded in 2015, is an industry-leading intelligent robotics company dedicated to overcoming core technologies for high-performance robots and building an intelligent robotics technology platform, with scaled applications already established in the rehabilitation sector. In 2021, Fourier Intelligence was successfully selected as a national “Little Giant” enterprise specializing in refined, distinctive, and innovative products. The company has taken the lead in undertaking nearly 20 national and provincial-level R&D projects.

China’s rehabilitation medical market boasts substantial demand. According to data from the Qianzhan Industry Research Institute, the market size for rehabilitation medical services is projected to exceed RMB 200 billion by 2025. Mainstream investment institutions are actively investing in the rehabilitation robotics sector, which will help propel the rehabilitation industry into a period of rapid growth, attract more top-tier talent and resources into the field, and elevate public awareness to new heights. Leveraging its technological and manufacturing advantages, Fourier Intelligence has entered the market through rehabilitation robotics, providing globally leading intelligent comprehensive rehabilitation solutions to institutions, building an enabling platform for the rehabilitation industry, and creating a perfect closed-loop ecosystem.

Image Caption: Fourier Intelligence Rehabilitation Port Solution

Fourier Intelligence has established a comprehensive product portfolio tailored for rehabilitation institutions, providing global customers with high-performance rehabilitation robots, intelligent rehabilitation products, physical therapy equipment, and digitalized, intelligent solutions for rehabilitation medicine. Its independently developed rehabilitation robots have been exported to dozens of countries and regions and are deployed in over 1,000 institutions domestically and internationally. Headquartered in Zhangjiang, Shanghai, the company has also set up its regional headquarters in Singapore, with R&D and production layouts in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Zurich, and Chicago, thereby establishing a global network for R&D, production, and services.

Joanne Xu, Partner at SoftBank Vision Fund, stated that population aging and the decentralization of high-quality medical resources to primary care settings are long-term trends we closely monitor. We are optimistic about the growth prospects of the intelligent rehabilitation industry and the execution capabilities of the Fourier team. Mr. Gu Jie and his team have been deeply engaged in the rehabilitation sector for over a decade, demonstrating exceptional R&D efficiency and robust clinical translation capabilities. Intelligent rehabilitation companies represented by Fourier address the industry’s supply-demand imbalance by providing standardized, controllable, and assessable rehabilitation training, thereby improving the work efficiency of rehabilitation therapists. By adopting an approach that “provides both fish and the means to fish,” they comprehensively enhance the clinical and operational capabilities of rehabilitation departments, benefiting a broader patient population. We are pleased to deepen our collaboration with Mr. Gu Jie and his team. SoftBank Vision Fund will continue to support Chinese enterprises in their development within the intelligent rehabilitation field.

Aysar Tayeb, Managing Director of Prosperity7 Ventures, the venture capital fund under Saudi Aramco, stated, “Prosperity7 is thrilled to support Fourier Intelligence by continuously driving strategic collaborations and participating in new rounds of financing. We aim to introduce Fourier Intelligence’s rehabilitation solutions into Saudi Arabia’s healthcare network and look forward to leveraging this partnership to deliver the most advanced rehabilitation services and solutions globally, thereby improving rehabilitation outcomes and quality of life for patients in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and beyond.”

Zen Koh, Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Fourier Intelligence Group, stated that from Saudi Aramco to SoftBank, Fourier Intelligence has continued to garner favor from mainstream international investment institutions, highlighting its global influence and reputation in the rehabilitation robotics sector and solidifying its leadership position within the industry.

Fourier Intelligence has independently developed core technologies and components, including a force feedback technology platform, multi-joint robot motion control cards, and multi-dimensional force sensors. This has established a robust technical barrier, eliminating dependence on imported hardware and software. The cross-disciplinary integration of AI, electronics, mechanics, and bionics will create a unique, future-oriented frontier technology platform, delivering a comfortable, modern rehabilitation experience to users through technologies such as real-time force interaction and immersive experiences.

Intelligent rehabilitation robots developed on a haptic feedback technology platform simulate diverse mechanical effects through precise force control, achieving compliant force control with high precision, high compliance, and high sensitivity. These systems deliver corresponding assistive forces tailored to the user’s condition, guiding them through task-oriented interactive training. For instance, the EMU 3D upper-limb rehabilitation robot pioneered comprehensive coverage of movements ranging from single-joint and planar motions to full three-dimensional spatial movements, enabling functionalities such as motion control, muscle strength training, and cognitive training. The ExoMotus lower-limb exoskeleton rehabilitation robot provides wearable gait training for rehabilitation and may also be used to assist personal ambulation in the future.

Image Caption: Fourier Intelligence EMU 3D Upper Limb Rehabilitation Robot

Figure Caption: Fourier Intelligence Lower Limb Exoskeleton Rehabilitation Robot

Industry boundaries are becoming increasingly blurred. As a leader in rehabilitation robotics, Fourier Intelligence is also an integral part of the broader robotics industry, evolving from single-point technologies toward cross-industry integration across the entire value chain. Next, Fourier Intelligence plans to launch a general-purpose biomimetic robot platform, extending its core technologies to more non-rehabilitation fields in the future. Fourier Intelligence will continue to redefine the relationship between humans and machines, bringing positive changes to more people’s lives.

Masayoshi Son stated at the 2017 Mobile World Congress that the number of intelligent robots would surpass the human population within the next 30 years. Gu Jie revealed that this scenario has already become a reality in rehabilitation departments ahead of schedule. For instance, at rehabilitation centers developed with the participation of Fourier Intelligence, the number of rehabilitation robots has exceeded that of rehabilitation professionals. This indicates that the era of human-robot integration is accelerating.

Gu Jie stated that Fourier Intelligence is, at its core, an intelligent robotics company. “We are firmly committed to investing in the research and development of foundational robotics technologies, including infrastructure and technologies for bionic robots. We aim to gradually evolve into a comprehensive bionic robotics platform company, thereby delivering holistic solutions across diverse vertical application scenarios. Our ultimate goal is to leverage intelligent technologies to enable everyone to enjoy a better quality of life.”