Researchers at Walton Institute in SETU are transforming a PhD project into an opportunity for enterprise. Activity Intelligence Platform (AIP) is an Extended Reality (XR) exercise tool designed to make physical activity more engaging and accessible for children with autism. Developed by PhD researcher Mark Power, the platform combines interactive activities, motion tracking and intelligent feedback to create personalised exercise experiences.
Early trials with children with autism aged 4-13 showed encouraging results. Participants quickly understood how to use the platform, found activities appropriately challenging, and described the experience as enjoyable and engaging. The project is now progressing through an Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund feasibility study led by Dr Frances Cleary at Walton Institute, in collaboration with colleagues from the School of Health Sciences at SETU. The team is now seeking commercial partners to help shape the next stage of development and explore routes to market.
From PhD research to commercial opportunity
The project began as part of Mark Power’s doctoral research, which focused on supporting physical activity among autistic children through non-invasive digital technologies. Through his research, Mark identified an opportunity to develop a solution that could address challenges faced by many children and families while also creating wider societal impact.
Recognising the potential beyond academia, Mark engaged with SETU’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO) to explore commercialisation opportunities. The team developed a pathway towards commercialisation and successfully secured Enterprise Ireland feasibility funding. The feasibility study will allow the project team to work with external commercialisation experts to validate market opportunities, identify customer needs and prepare for a future Proof of Concept and Commercialisation Fund application.
Dr James O'Sullivan, Head of Commercialisation in SETU outlines the impact projects such as this can have on the innovation ecosystem in the south east and Ireland.
By nurturing innovation talent within the university, the Technology Transfer Office in SETU are helping to create the next generation of high potential startups that can contribute meaningfully to regional economic growth and societal impact. We can help signpost the pathway to entrepreneurship, support researchers in accessing commercialisation funding, and facilitate vital connections with regional enterprise bodies, industry partners and investors.”
Dr James O'Sullivan SETU Head of Commercialisation
Mark Power added: “This project started with a simple goal; to find new ways of supporting physical activity for children with autism. The support available through the Technology Transfer Office in SETU has helped us look beyond the research and consider how the work could reach more families. The feasibility study is an important next step in understanding how we can create real-world impact.”
Building a multidisciplinary innovation team
AIP highlights the value of collaboration across disciplines within SETU. While the technology emerged from doctoral research at Walton Institute, the project has been supported by expertise from the School of Health Sciences and a wider multidisciplinary team spanning technology, health and user-centred design.
This combination of research strengths has enabled the team to explore both the technical and practical aspects of supporting physical activity in children with autism while maintaining a strong focus on user needs and outcomes.
Exploring the route to market
The current Enterprise Ireland-funded feasibility study will examine several key commercial questions, including market demand, customer segments, business models and routes to market. It will also help identify strategic partnerships that could accelerate adoption and support future growth.
Importantly, the project team is actively seeking engagement with organisations interested in inclusive health technologies, digital health, rehabilitation, education or assistive technologies. Commercial partners can play a key role in shaping future development, validating market requirements and supporting pilot deployments.
Part of a growing commercialisation culture at SETU
The AIP feasibility study reflects SETU’s growing track record in turning research into commercial opportunities. Recent successes include Enterprise Ireland-supported projects such as HAL, a housing compliance platform, and Eye-Q, an AI solution designed to reduce food waste across the agri-food sector. These projects demonstrate how university research can progress from early-stage ideas to commercially focused ventures with the potential for significant economic and societal impact.
Walton Institute has also seen success through projects such as AgritatorAI, which secured Enterprise Ireland Proof of Concept funding to develop AI technologies for agricultural compliance and decision-making.
For SETU, projects like AIP demonstrate how doctoral research can extend beyond academic outputs and become a foundation for entrepreneurship, innovation and future spin-out opportunities.
As the feasibility study progresses, the team hopes AIP will serve as an example for other PhD researchers considering how their research could create impact beyond the university.
Organisations interested in exploring partnership opportunities with the Activity Intelligence Platform project are encouraged to contact Walton Institute or the SETU Technology Transfer Office.