Axiles Bionics

Axiles Bionics is a Belgian medical technology company founded in January 2019 as a spin-off from the Human Robotics Research Centre at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). The company develops and manufactures ankle-foot prostheses, including passive and bionic models, intended to reproduce natural movement for people with lower-limb amputation. Its origins lie in more than twelve years of research by Pierre Cherelle and colleagues at the BruBotics research centre, where work focused on robotics, artificial intelligence and human biomechanics, particularly the complex function of the human ankle. The company's commercial product line is Lunaris, comprising the Lunaris Essential, Lunaris IO and Lunaris IO+ ankle-foot prostheses. These are passive prostheses that derive from the company's bionic-foot research and use biomechanical mechanisms to reproduce natural foot movement without active motorisation. According to the company, the Lunaris line is designed around human biomechanics and offers up to 39 degrees of range of motion depending on the model, supporting different walking styles and mobility needs, with stability on uneven terrain. The models are positioned as an alternative to more complex solutions while remaining suited to daily use. Axiles Bionics continues to develop more advanced models incorporating cutting-edge technologies aimed at improving responsiveness and adaptability to individual user needs. Research and development at Axiles Bionics focuses on integrating advanced technologies such as deep learning and reinforcement learning, allowing the prosthesis to adapt to the user's movements in real time and anticipate future actions. Another development area is flexible biomechanical actuation, which combines springs and motors to optimise energy consumption while providing effective mechanical assistance, helping the prosthesis remain functional in real and changing conditions. The company has benefited from several funding rounds, including a EUR 2.4 million raise in 2019 to support technology development and clinical validation of its products. In addition to private funding, it has received public grants, including EUR 500,000 from Innoviris for the development of its artificial intelligence technology, as well as financial support from the King Baudouin Foundation and the European Commission, the latter granting EUR 2.5 million through the European Council to strengthen its innovation capacity. Axiles Bionics has also received recognition including the euRobotics Technology Transfer Award 2020, the Innovative Starters Award 2021, the European Technology Award 2022 in the robotics category, and a European Innovation Council grant in 2023. In June 2026 the company was recognised by CAP48 with an Enterprise Award in the Innovation category for its work on prosthetic feet designed to support more natural movement for lower-limb amputees.

Axiles Bionics traces its origins to research conducted by Pierre Cherelle and colleagues at the BruBotics research centre of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. For more than twelve years, these researchers worked on robotics, artificial intelligence and human biomechanics, aiming to recreate the complex functionality of human joints, particularly the ankle. After developing several prototypes of robotic prostheses, Pierre Cherelle, supported by co-founders Felipe Gomez, Claire Cherelle and Jacques Langhendries, founded Axiles Bionics in January 2019. The founding of the company aimed to develop more advanced solutions for people with lower-limb amputation, with the goal of creating ankle-foot prostheses capable of restoring movement as natural as possible using advanced technologies. The company has benefited from several funding rounds, including a EUR 2.4 million raise in 2019 to support technology development and clinical validation of its products. In addition to private funding, it received public grants, including EUR 500,000 from Innoviris for the development of its artificial intelligence technology, as well as financial support from the King Baudouin Foundation and the European Commission, the latter granting EUR 2.5 million through the European Council to strengthen its innovation capacity. Axiles Bionics has received several awards and recognitions: the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems 2017 award for innovation in robotics; the MedTech Award 2017 for its contribution to the medical technology sector; the euRobotics Technology Transfer Award 2020 for excellence in technology transfer; the YouthStart Entrepreneurship Fund 2021 for support to entrepreneurship; the Innovative Starters Award 2021 for innovation in emerging technologies; the European Technology Award 2022 in the robotics category; and a European Innovation Council grant in 2023 for innovation from the European Commission. In June 2026, the company was recognised by CAP48 with an Enterprise Award in the Innovation category for its work on prosthetic feet designed to support more natural movement for lower-limb amputees.

• 2026

  Recognised by CAP48 with an Enterprise Award in the Innovation category for prosthetic feet.

• 2023

  European Innovation Council grant for innovation from the European Commission.

• 2022

  European Technology Award 2022 in the robotics category.

• 2021

  YouthStart Entrepreneurship Fund 2021 for support to entrepreneurship.

• 2021

  Innovative Starters Award 2021 for innovation in emerging technologies.

• 2020

  euRobotics Technology Transfer Award 2020 for excellence in technology transfer.

• 2019

  Axiles Bionics founded in January 2019 as a spin-off of the Human Robotics Research Centre at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

• 2019

  EUR 2.4 million funding round to support technology development and clinical validation.

• 2017

  International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems 2017 award for innovation in robotics.

• 2017

  MedTech Award 2017 for contribution to the medical technology sector.

Prosthetic feet designed around human biomechanics for more natural movement, from core performance to extended capabilities.

• Lunaris Essential

  Essential performance. Reliable by design. Confidence you can rely on.

• Lunaris IO

  Extended range of motion. Greater freedom in every step. Smart connectivity.

• Lunaris IO+

  Extended range of motion. Greater freedom in every step. Smart connectivity.

1. 1Prosthetic Feet Designed for Natural Movement | Axiles Bionicsaxilesbionics.com
2. 2About Axiles Bionics | Innovation in Prosthetic Foot Designaxilesbionics.com
3. 3Axiles Bionics Recognized by CAP48 for Innovation in Prosthetic Feet | Axiles Bionicsaxilesbionics.com
4. 4Axiles Bionicswikidata.org
5. 5Axiles Bionicsfr.wikipedia.org