Ottobock invests in future technology from Blue Arbor Technologies, Inc.

Ottobock invests in future technology from Blue Arbor Technologies, Inc.

Duderstadt, 26 February 2026
 

The international MedTech company is driving progress in intuitive prosthesis control

• Investment of USD 5 million in Series A financing.
• RESTORE implant technology provides more intuitive prosthesis control.
• First test treatment successfully carried out at the Medical University of Vienna.

Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA is strengthening its innovation and market leadership with a strategic investment in Blue Arbor Technologies, Incorporated. As part of the Series A financing, Ottobock is investing five million dollars in the spin-off from the renowned University of Michigan. Through the capital investment, Ottobock will also hold the position as a major investor and have a seat on Blue Arbor’s Board of Directors.

Strategic investment in future technology

"With this strategic investment, we are consistently driving forward our technology leadership. The further development of the human-machine interface is crucial to improve prosthesis control, make movement patterns even more natural and give users more intuitive freedom of movement," says Oliver Jakobi, CEO of Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA.

Novel neuromuscular implant technology

Blue Arbor Technologies, Inc. has developed the RESTORE system, a novel neuromuscular interface that enables much more intuitive control of arm prostheses. Electrodes are implanted directly into muscles that are connected to the patient’s nerves. A sensing unit captures and processes the body's natural electrical signals and transmits them wirelessly to a receiver in the prosthetic shaft. This "translates" the information into movement commands for the prosthetic hand. This technology opens up the possibility of independent and simultaneous control of fingers, wrists and elbows – thus increasing dexterity, speed and reliability of prosthesis control.

"The RESTORE system is designed to restore intuitive, voluntary movements. This is not about patients adapting to the technology, but about designing a technology that adapts to human biology," says Tod Borton, CEO of Blue Arbor Technologies, Inc..

Successful test at MedUni Vienna

In December 2025, surgeons at the Medical University of Vienna implanted the novel technology in a human body for the first time. They inserted the electrodes into several specifically selected, newly connected muscle sites. After just a few days, the patient was able to use the system functionally together with an Ottobock prosthesis.

"What makes this technology remarkable is how quickly patients can translate their intention into movement," says Prof. Dr. Oskar Aszmann, director of the Christian Doppler Laboratory for the Restoration of Limb Function at the Medical University of Vienna. "We are seeing control that is more natural and responsive than anything currently available, which has a profound impact on patients' independence and quality of life."

The work of the three founders of Blue Arbor Technologies, Inc. – Dr. Paul Cederna, President; Dr. Theodore Küng, Chief Medical Officer; and Dr. Alex Vaskov, Chief Technology Officer – have already led to more than 200 peer-reviewed publications.

The RESTORE system has been granted Breakthrough Device designation by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and has been included in the Total Product Life Cycle (TPLC) Advisory Program (TAP) Pilot. These milestones underscore its potential to revolutionize prosthesis control.

For more information about the RESTORE system and Blue Arbor Technologies, Inc., please visit https://bluearbortech.com.

Contact 

Media contact:

Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA
Merle Florstedt    
Head of Corporate Communications 
Mobile +49 151 441 616 25
Merle.florstedt@ottobock.de

Investor Relations Contact:

Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA
Julia Hartmann
VP Investor Relations
Mobile: +49 151 556 848 07
Julia.Hartmann@ottobock.de

About Ottobock

The listed global MedTech champion Ottobock combines over 100 years of tradition with outstanding innovative strength in the fields of prosthetics, neuro-orthotics and exoskeletons. Ottobock develops innovative care solutions for people with limited mobility and is driving forward the digitalization of the industry. Founded in Berlin in 1919, the company with almost 9,300 employees (full-time equivalents) is now active with its business in 45 countries and operates the largest international patient care network with around 400 patient care centers worldwide. With a strong R&D quota in the product and components business and more than 2,600 patents and patent applications, Ottobock is shaping the human bionics landscape of the future. The mission to improve people's freedom of movement, quality of life and independence is deeply rooted in the company's DNA – as is its social commitment: Ottobock has been a partner and supporter of the Paralympic Games since 1988.