HandyRehab

HandyRehab, the rehabilitation robotics division of Zunosaki Limited, develops lightweight robotic glove systems designed to make hand function rehabilitation accessible beyond hospital settings. Founded in 2015 by Newmen Ho, a former researcher at Hong Kong Polytechnic University specializing in health assessment and brain-computer interfaces, the company focuses on creating affordable alternatives to traditional rehabilitation equipment.

Company Overview

Zunosaki Limited emerged from research conducted at Hong Kong’s academic institutions, with the founding team comprising engineers, designers, and medical professionals. The company operates from Kwai Chung, Hong Kong, and participates in the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Incubation Programme and Cyberport community.

The venture secured angel funding totaling HK$6 million from private investors and government programs in 2018. Additional support came through the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund), which approved HK$2.19 million for a three-year project to expand home-based rehabilitation access, with targets to benefit over 600 stroke patients through equipment sales and donations to low-income families.

Alvin Cheung serves as CEO, overseeing technology commercialization and business development. The leadership team maintains partnerships with NGOs, medical professionals, and community healthcare providers throughout Hong Kong.

Core Products

HandyRehab Medical Edition

The Medical Edition targets institutional users including hospitals, elderly nursing homes, and private clinics. This version offers varied training modes and detailed data analytics for clinical environments where therapists can supervise patient progress.

HandyRehab Home Edition

Launched in early 2024, the Home Edition simplifies the interface for unsupervised home use. The simplified design addresses the need for patients to continue rehabilitation training during the critical post-stroke recovery window without requiring constant therapist guidance.

Technology & Innovation

The HandyRehab system operates on neurorehabilitation principles, incorporating three main components: a wireless robotic glove, electromyography (EMG) sensors, and a companion tablet application.

When users attempt hand movements, EMG sensors detect muscle signals from the forearm. The robotic glove then provides mechanical assistance to complete the intended motion, reinforcing the neural pathway connection between brain and hand. This approach supports the progression from passive training through semi-active and eventually active training stages.

The device weighs approximately 400 grams—roughly half the weight of conventional metal-framed rehabilitation robots—achieved by using plastic structural components instead of metal. Bluetooth wireless connectivity eliminates cable management issues, improving portability for both clinical and home environments.

Clinical testing indicates the technology can assist stroke patients in recovering up to 90% of full motor control for finger movements. Beyond finger function, the training process contributes to improvements in elbow and shoulder function through increased limb utilization.

Market Presence

HandyRehab has established relationships with over 50 institutional users in Hong Kong, including hospitals, elderly care facilities, and rehabilitation centers. The product has been deployed across diverse patient populations, ranging from recent stroke patients to individuals more than 20 years post-stroke, and across age groups from patients in their 20s to those in their 80s.

International expansion efforts have resulted in pilot deployments at mainland Chinese hospitals and a research purchase by a German university. The company has identified Singapore, Japan, and the United States as target markets for partnership development.

Pricing positions the device at approximately HK$100,000, representing roughly one-third the cost of traditional rehabilitation robot systems—a deliberate strategy to extend robotic-assisted therapy access beyond major medical centers to community rehabilitation facilities.

Key Milestones

• 2015: Zunosaki Limited founded in Hong Kong
• 2018: Completed angel funding round (HK$6M from private investors and government programs)
• 2019: Expanded to 50+ institutional users in Hong Kong
• 2020: Received SIE Fund approval for home rehabilitation expansion project
• 2022: Launched Medical Edition commercial deployments; Home Edition development initiated
• 2024: Released HandyRehab Home Edition for consumer market

Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions does HandyRehab treat?

HandyRehab primarily targets hand function impairment resulting from stroke, supporting rehabilitation of fine motor skills through assisted finger movement training. The system has been used with patients across various stroke recovery stages, from acute to chronic.

How does HandyRehab compare to traditional rehabilitation methods?

Traditional therapy relies on repetitive exercises with manual therapist guidance. HandyRehab supplements this approach by providing consistent mechanical assistance and objective muscle activity data, allowing therapists to visualize patient progress and patients to train independently between clinical sessions.

Is HandyRehab available outside Hong Kong?

The company has initiated pilot programs in mainland China and completed research sales to European institutions. Commercial expansion to Singapore, Japan, and the United States is planned through local distribution partnerships.