Hollis Pierce recently experienced a significant moment as he captured his first selfie, surrounded by the engineering team responsible for enabling this achievement. At 38 years old, Pierce, a disability advocate and the head of accessibility and partnerships at Sielo Robotics in Ottawa, reflected on the novelty of the moment, having never taken a selfie before.
His role at Sielo Robotics involves testing products such as Arlo, the company’s assistive robotic arm. Using a space mouse, Pierce can direct Arlo in six directions within 3D environments. Setting a personal goal for the day, Pierce aimed to take a selfie using Arlo, a task that initially took him about an hour to accomplish. Despite the learning curve, he noted that the latest fourth-generation model resembles playing a video game in terms of ease of use.
Pierce has been candid with his team about the strengths and weaknesses of Arlo, emphasizing the importance of user feedback. Sielo Robotics, founded at the University of Ottawa, emphasizes user experience in its design process. The company’s recent success in securing a million dollars in seed funding this May is set to propel their work forward this summer.
Collaborating with The 8-80 Collaborative, Sielo Robotics aims to bring Arlo into homes and communities, requiring additional testers like Pierce to provide valuable insights. Pierce highlighted the potential benefits of Arlo, such as assisting with basic needs like nose wiping and accessing water independently.
Rafaël Hébert, Sielo’s chief technology officer, expressed optimism witnessing users like Pierce make strides with the robotic arm, underscoring the device’s potential in enhancing daily activities. Overcoming the challenge of replicating complex human actions in diverse settings, the company leverages user feedback to continually improve its technology.
Sielo Robotics is dedicated to developing an AI-enabled system for Arlo, enabling the robotic arm to record routine tasks efficiently. The company’s focus on affordability and insurance coverage aims to make their devices accessible to a broader demographic. With the recent seed funding, Sielo Robotics is accelerating its development process, aiming to have robotic arms in people’s homes for beta testing by the year’s end.
Pierce, reflecting on his improving selfie-taking skills with Arlo, is enthusiastic about the device’s impact on future generations. He envisions the potential of Arlo in empowering individuals with disabilities from a young age, fostering independence and accessibility.