Now Innovating: Improving balance and mobility for older adults, athletes and astronauts with wearable tech

In this episode of Now Innovating, a research-to-impact series at the University of Calgary, we speak with Dr. Ryan Peters, PhD, an associate professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Human Performance Lab. His research explores the neural control of balance and mobility that has led to the commercialization of a wearable technology to support balance impairments in older adults, athletes, and astronauts.

We learn more about our neural systems and how they affect our control of movement, and discuss Ryan’s innovation journey, including the patent process and overcoming the fear of failure in academia.

This is one of two episodes this season spotlighting research-to-impact within the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Kinesiology, one of the top sport-science schools in North America. Thanks to a generous $20 million donation from the Taylor Family Foundation, the Faculty of Kinesiology will expand and elevate its human performance, movement and sport science research and education program. 

Now Innovating shares the stories of UCalgary researchers who have moved their discoveries forward and their innovation journeys to implementation and creating impact. Episodes are released monthly, and are also available as a podcast on platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and more. View the series.