Who is Merodz and what is the problem you have set out to solve?  

"Merodz is an upcoming startup that designs AI-based below the elbow prosthetics that are both agile and affordable. We are committed to making a positive impact for the growing population of 2.2 million individuals worldwide who undergo below-the-elbow amputations each year.

In our validation process we have learned that existing prosthetics show a tendency of overengineering and often end up unused due to fragility, weight and lack of waterproofing. In fact, the more expensive and the more featured prosthetics, the lower the user satisfaction rates according to the research.

In our design process, we focus only on the features users actually need. Our AI-powered prosthetics allow responsive control in contrast to existing EMG-powered prosthetics, which users often find sluggish and frustrating. Furthermore, our prosthetics are very affordable due to the choice of material and manufacturing. Our vision is to make below the elbow prosthetic hands accessible to those in need."

Dinar Amar Jadhav, co-founder of Merodz

What is the next step for Merodz? 

"All over the world, people who are amputees struggle to do ordinary day-to-day activities. Our mission is to create the best and affordable prosthetics. At this point, the AAU Startup Grant will help us tremendously in moving forward with our prototype. With the funds from the grant, we will acquire the needed hardware components. All components are 3D printed, yet offer an intuitive, lightweight and robust alternative that users will want to wear daily. We do have competitors, but not with the technology which we are using Our short-term plan is to get the product patented and to set up clinical trials. The long-term plan is to get CE marking and launch the product in Asia. Later we will be looking into global markets."

Dinar Amar Jadhav, co-founder of Merodz

What inspired you to form Merodz? 

"Since I was a young boy, I have had the idea of making a product that could help people. Growing up in India, one of my friends at school was unable to run due to a disability.  I remember thinking that I would like to make a difference for someone like him one day.

The idea stayed with me and later I enrolled at Aalborg University to study robotics. Here, I met Samuel Howell, who shares my passion for human bionics. After some time we met Judi Simonsen, who shared our vision and joined our team. Since joining the AAU Startup Program a year ago, our startup has developed rapidly in every area. The combination of guidance from the business coaches in the startup program, and all the fellow student entrepreneurs and facilities of the startup community at AAU Innovate have inspired us to go ahead in the pursuit of this mission. 

A special thanks goes out to our lecturer and professor Strahinja Dosen, himself a pioneer within the field of prosthetics, who inspired and helped us to take our idea further. He has been supportive of our entrepreneurial journey from the beginning.

That we are here right now having won the AAU Startup Grant from The Obelske Family Foundation has been a really amazing journey.  With this grant we will be able to bring the benefits of our technology to people around the world much faster."

Dinar Amar Jadhav, co-founder of Merodz