Zen Koh, a trailblazing Rehabilitation
Technology innovator and roboticist, has been honoured with the esteemed
“People’s Choice: Rehab Leader of The Year” award presented by Neuro
Rehab Times, a prestigious UK-based publication. The inaugural NR Times Awards
distinguishes visionaries spearheading transformative initiatives, propelling
innovation to deliver life-altering results for patients. Selected from a pool
of 120 nominees, Zen Koh, the Co-Founder & Global CEO of Fourier
Intelligence, secured the accolade through a public vote, acknowledging his
exceptional leadership and substantial contributions within the field.
Picture 1: Zen Koh, Co-Founder and Global CEO of Fourier Intelligence, voted
People’s Choice: Rehab Leader of The Year at the Neuro Rehab Times Awards 2023.
Throughout a
distinguished career spanning over two decades, Zen Koh has fervently dedicated
himself to advancing the field of rehabilitation through the creation of
innovative robotics and AI solutions. As a serial technopreneur, his impactful
journey commenced with the founding of i-CREATe, START Centre, and Fourier
Intelligence in 2015. Koh has been instrumental in fostering deep collaboration
within the development teams, leading to the creation of groundbreaking devices
benefiting both patients and therapists. At the helm of Fourier Intelligence’s
neurorehabilitation robotics program, Koh has been the driving force behind the
company’s exceptional milestones, including the development of award-winning
devices such as the renowned ArmMotus™ EMU, ExoMotus™ M4, and the recently
unveiled MetaMotus™ Galileo.
Zen Koh’s outstanding
contributions have garnered significant recognition. He was previously honoured
with the esteemed IEEE/IFR Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award (IERA) for his
groundbreaking innovation, the ArmMotus™ EMU. This prestigious award celebrated
his pioneering approach, which seamlessly integrated adaptive rehabilitation
with entertainment technology, signifying its potential to revolutionise the
healthcare landscape. The ArmMotus™ EMU, a 3D back-drivable upper limb
rehabilitation robot, introduced a groundbreaking cable-driven mechanism,
positioning it at the forefront of rehabilitation robotics.
The IERA Award, symbolising
the transformation of visionary ideas into tangible products, is a testament to
his entrepreneurial drive. Jointly sponsored by the IEEE Robotics and
Automation Society (RAS) and the International Federation of Robotics (IFR),
the award ceremony, held at the ICRA 2023 Awards Ceremony in London, honoured
Zen Koh with this esteemed recognition.
Zen Koh has been a
driving force in the industry, actively fostering collaborative initiatives to
bolster learning and cooperation among professionals. Serving as the General
Chair for RehabWeek 2023, the international conference held in Singapore marked
a significant milestone as the first of its kind in Asia, drawing together the
largest gathering of rehabilitation experts and entrepreneurs globally. This
monumental event not only provided Southeast Asia and Asia with exposure but
also established a crucial bridge between continents, showcasing the region’s
prowess in the field. Zen’s unwavering commitment to industry organisations and
initiatives has solidified his position as a revered thought leader and
advocate for patient-centred care.
Juggling multiple
roles, Zen Koh also serves as the President of the International Industry
Society for Advanced Rehabilitation Technology (IISART), Co-founder, and
Executive Director of the Swiss-based MotusAcademy Association and assumes the
position of Managing Editor for the Journal of Rehabilitation Methods and
Technologies (JRMT). His multifaceted engagement across these diverse roles
exemplifies his profound dedication to advancing the field of rehabilitation
and shaping its future through collaboration and advocacy.
“The NR Times
Awards gathered a phenomenal cohort of exceptional individuals hailing from
diverse backgrounds, all contributing significantly to the domains of
rehabilitation and healthcare. It’s a deeply cherished honour to receive this
award, a recognition that stands out among a field of high-calibre nominees.
Embarking on my career in robotics and rehabilitation technology more than two
decades ago has been an incredible journey, witnessing remarkable advancements
that have profoundly enhanced patient care and outcomes.
While relentlessly
pursuing the development of more advanced solutions, my mission has
consistently revolved around nurturing robust collaborations among fellow
industry, clinical, and research leaders – a pivotal factor in the industry’s
overall success. With this vision in mind, I foresee an expansive
rehabilitation ecosystem that seamlessly integrates various solutions,
amalgamating them within clinical settings. This unified platform unites
solution providers with the shared goal of significantly enhancing patient
recovery outcomes.”
Guided by his
leadership, Fourier Intelligence has made remarkable advancements in the realm
of neurorehabilitation robotics, showcasing an unwavering commitment to
delivering top-notch patient care via groundbreaking and innovative
rehabilitation technology solutions.
