Orbita – an essential tool for today's physiotherapists
The Orbita device
represents an innovation in digital rehabilitation – a smart sphere that uses real-time visual feedback to guide correct execution of therapeutic exercises.
Orbita technology
accurately measures pressure, movement quality, and visual reaction times. It transforms exercises into quantifiable data, making it particularly effective for physiotherapy, post-operative rehabilitation, and athletic training.
Orbita mobile app
serves as a control center – via Bluetooth it receives real-time data, enables parameter customization, and access to structured protocols. The exercise library, developed with the University of Padua, provides evidence-based programs for different rehabilitation conditions.
Context & Challenge
With the Orbita hardware already developed and functioning, the main challenge was to create a mobile application capable of transforming the device's raw data into an effective rehabilitation experience. The problem analysis focused on three fundamental areas:
01 Technical Challenge
Real-time data integration and management
The main difficulty was establishing fast and stable Bluetooth communication, managing multi-sensor data in real time. The system includes a local database for offline functionality and multi-device support for rehab centers. We developed native iOS/Android apps with OTA firmware update capabilities.
02 Usability Challenge
Accessible interface for fragile users
We designed an accessible interface with simplified navigation and inclusive design. The app allows customization with saved profiles, high-contrast mode, and onboarding that teaches users how to use the app in under one minute.
03 Clinical Challenge
Turning medical protocols into digital user experience
Collaboration with the University of Padua to translate paper-based rehab protocols into interactive digital flows. Every feature was validated through real patient testing, adopting an evidence-based approach to ensure clinical effectiveness.
Analysis Results
The app was not meant to be just a "remote control" for Orbita, but a true digital rehabilitation assistant able to:
Guide inexperienced patients through complex exercise protocols
Provide physiotherapists with actionable data to optimize therapy pathways
Motivate therapy adherence through positive feedback
Ensure clinical safety with intelligent control systems
Tech Proposal
Given that the hardware was already completed, our work focused on:
Companion app
- Simple, intuitive interface in 5 languages for iOS and Android
- Create custom protocols that can be saved and reused
- Full customization and adaptability to every use case
- Light & dark theme
- Multi-device management for clinics using multiple devices
- Manual override for any automatic parameter
- Library with over 50 exercises validated by the University of Padua
SDK for third-party developers and wearable integration
An additional marketing tool for our client
- Easy integration in third-party apps
- Compatible with iOS and Android
Results
Improved quality of exercise execution
Specific adaptation for each user by setting custom strength limits
Detailed results of each exercise performed to better understand each user's usage
Give physiotherapists a tool to manage therapy plans for their clients
Accurate management of a training program with high customization capability
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Implementation
7 months (28 weeks)
Analysis and documentation
Complete app design and animated prototype
App development
Testing and market launch
Next steps / Roadmap
Short term
Integration of new features and expansion of the exercise set
Medium term
Integration of a dedicated backend for device data analysis and a back office for the physiotherapist, who can analyze data by individual patient or in aggregated form
The Airbag team was able to understand our requests and develop an application that is both functional and designed with a simple, clean, yet captivating style. Their full understanding of how the device works, its key features, and the identification of the intended target audience allowed them to successfully complete the project to our satisfaction.
Alessandro Dondè
CEO
Lessons learned & Best practices
Winning factor
A simple and intuitive interface simplifies everyday use: onboarding takes less than 1 minute with no need for a user manual, adaptive UI that shows only the necessary functions at any given moment, natural language instead of complex medical terminology.
Challenge solved
Guiding the physiotherapist in supervisory activities: focusing on high-value clinical decisions instead of compliance, a physiotherapist can effectively follow multiple patients at the same time.
Next evolution
Integrate data: unified timeline for the rehabilitation journey with chronological view, continuous learning from an anonymized shared database.
The difference of a partner specialized in digital healthcare
In the healthcare sector, selecting the right technology partner can determine the success or failure of a digital innovation. Airbag Studio stands out in the Italian and European landscape for a unique mix of expertise, methodologies, and tangible results that make the company the ideal partner for successful healthcare projects.
Design Thinking applied specifically to the healthcare sector
While many agencies apply generic methodologies, Airbag Studio has developed a Design Thinking approach specific to healthcare, documented and refined over years of experience. The company understands that, in healthcare, users only invest time in new digital tools if they clearly solve real problems. Their process always starts from direct dialogue with patients, doctors, nurses, and caregivers, generating solutions that address real everyday challenges rather than perceived issues.
Proven track record with medical device industry leaders
The credibility of Airbag Studio is demonstrated by successful collaborations with industry-leading medical device companies. Empatica, a pioneer in health monitoring wearables, chose Airbag for the design of its mobile applications, praising "the expertise and experience that led to a refined design and quality user experience." Amiko, specialized in solutions for respiratory therapy management, entrusted Airbag with the development of version 2.0 of its Respiro app, highlighting the company's ability to focus on the patient experience while following the latest native mobile development guidelines.
Specific technical expertise for healthcare innovation
Airbag Studio is not just an app development agency but a center of excellence for healthcare-critical technologies. The team is proficient in Bluetooth integration with medical devices, telemedicine systems development, and integration with wearables and activity trackers. This specialized technical expertise drastically reduces project risks and accelerates the time-to-market for innovative solutions.
Structured methodology that accelerates innovation
Airbag Studio's 6-phase process (Kickoff, Definition, Implementation, Execution, Control, Closure) has been specifically optimized to make "the journey from idea to market launch linear, short, and efficient." In a sector where delays in innovation can mean lost lives or missed opportunities, Airbag's ability to accelerate development while maintaining high quality standards is a crucial competitive advantage.
Multidisciplinary team that understands healthcare complexity
The Airbag team brings together designers, developers, strategists, and problem solvers in a truly multidisciplinary approach. This diversity of expertise is essential in healthcare, where solutions must balance clinical requirements, user needs, regulatory constraints, and technological innovation. The ability to "design complex applications that work in the simplest way possible" is especially critical in healthcare, where users often operate under stress or in emergency situations.
Commitment to social innovation and well-being
Airbag Studio explicitly declares its commitment to "investing and dedicating more and more time to the development of apps for health, well-being, and social innovation." This corporate mission aligned with healthcare sector goals means that clients get more than a supplier—they get a partner genuinely interested in the long-term success of the solutions developed.
End-to-end experience from prototype to market
Airbag Studio offers comprehensive capabilities that cover the entire digital healthcare product lifecycle: from prototyping for validation, to the development of complete ecosystems, integration with web management systems, through to deployment in app stores and continuous maintenance. This end-to-end capability eliminates the need to coordinate multiple vendors, reducing complexity, costs, and risks.
The competitive advantage of Airbag Studio
Choosing Airbag Studio for a healthcare project means relying on a partner who combines
Validated methodologies specifically for the healthcare sector
Quality certifications that ensure compliance and reliability
Proven experience with medical device industry leaders
Specialized technical expertise in healthcare-critical technologies
User-centered approach that puts patients and healthcare professionals at the center
Innovative vision aligned with health improvement goals
In a field where mistakes are not an option and innovation can save lives, Airbag Studio is the safe choice to turn innovative ideas into digital solutions that truly make a difference in people's lives.
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info@airbagstudio.it