Affiliated websites

KIMOLab (Laboratory for Research in Kinesiology and Biomechanical Analysis of Movement) is a research platform affiliated with Cirris that is dedicated to the study of human movement and its functional adaptations in people with and without disabilities. Led by Professor Katia Turcot, the laboratory develops knowledge and tools to better understand the biomechanical mechanisms associated with mobility, joint stress, and compensatory motor strategies.

KIMOLab’s work aims, in particular, to optimize clinical assessment and assistive device fitting for people with functional limitations, to document changes in motor abilities, and to support decision-making by rehabilitation professionals. Research projects focus on the biomechanical analysis of movement, functional assessment in real-world settings, the development of bio-indicators, and the study of factors influencing joint stress and locomotor performance.

The platform promotes an interdisciplinary approach that brings together expertise in kinesiology, rehabilitation, biomedical engineering, orthopedics, and movement sciences. In collaboration with clinical settings, users, and industry partners, it contributes to the development and evaluation of innovative technologies aimed at improving mobility, independence, and quality of life for people living with disabilities.

Thanks to its state-of-the-art infrastructure and expertise in the collection and analysis of human movement, KIMOLab actively participates in the transfer of knowledge between research and clinical practice. Its activities are fully aligned with Cirris’s mission by supporting innovation, training the next generation of researchers, and developing evidence-based solutions to promote social participation and inclusion for people with disabilities.

The IngReadapt ULaval laboratory is a research platform specializing in the development of innovative technologies for adaptation, prevention, and rehabilitation. Under the direction of Professor Alexandre Campeau-Lecours, the team brings together expertise in robotics, mechatronics, biomechanics, artificial intelligence, and medical device design to meet the needs of people living with disabilities and rehabilitation professionals.

The platform’s activities focus on the design, prototyping, and evaluation of assistive technologies, including technical aids, robotic systems, exoskeletons, smart orthoses, control interfaces, and tools for measuring human movement. Projects are developed in close collaboration with users, clinicians, researchers, and industry partners to ensure their relevance and successful translation into clinical practice.

IngReadapt is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including laboratories for rehabilitation robotics, virtual reality, motion analysis, and wheelchair mobility, as well as workshops for mechanical and electronic prototyping. The platform also provides the scientific community with specialized equipment such as collaborative robots, motion capture systems, biomechanical sensors, 3D printers, and advanced software and hardware development tools.

In line with Cirris’s mission, IngReadapt contributes to the advancement of knowledge and the development of technological solutions that promote independence, social participation, and quality of life for people with disabilities. The platform also serves as a dynamic training environment for the next generation of engineers, rehabilitation specialists, and applied scientists.

The Sustainable Health Evaluation and Innovation Network (Réseau d’évaluation et de l’innovation en santé durable - REISD) is a Quebec initiative aimed at supporting and accelerating the development of health innovations (technologies, devices, services, or solutions) by aligning them with the real needs of healthcare institutions and users.

The REISD is part of the broader Health Evaluation and Innovation Network (REIS), which has been deployed in several institutions within the Quebec healthcare system to strengthen the evaluation of innovations at the provincial level.

Main objective
The REISD helps innovators (companies, researchers, SMEs, startups) develop, evaluate, and validate their products or services in a real healthcare context, ensuring that they meet clinical needs and criteria for effectiveness, usefulness, and marketability.

Implementation
The network is coordinated by the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale (CIUSSSCN) and is part of the Quebec Life Sciences Strategy. It brings together expertise from its four research centers, as well as private and public sector players, to offer specialized evaluation and support services to innovators.

Mission

• Catalyze the transition from idea to innovation in healthcare.
• Provide methodological and practical support for the development and evaluation of innovations.
• Help produce evidence demonstrating the value of a product or service for the healthcare network and future users.

Target audiences

• Companies and innovators developing healthcare solutions.
• Entrepreneurs who want to validate their innovations in real-world conditions (at CIUSSSCN points of service) and obtain scientifically credible results.
• Those aiming for commercialization or adoption in the healthcare system.

Services provided

• Assessment of clinical relevance and innovative potential.
• Validation of technologies or solutions in a real healthcare context.
• Strategic support for market access and commercialization.
• Connections with a network of clinical, scientific, and industrial experts.

The MAIN project aims to develop the first smart hand prosthesis technology based on connected high-density myoelectric sensors (HD-EMG) and interactive deep learning strategies. This innovation will not only improve the user experience by naturally compensating for their disability, but also strengthen their neuromuscular capabilities and fully exploit the potential of their residual limbs, beyond current limitations.

Myoelectric prostheses represent a major advance for amputees. They use electromyography (EMG) to capture control signals directly from residual limbs. EMG non-invasively detects the electrical potentials generated by muscle fibers during movement and reuses them to control the prosthesis. The MAIN project aims to push the boundaries of this technology in order to increase its positive impact on Quebec society and economy.

This project brings together international experts from six FRQ-NT strategic clusters (UNIQUE, ReSMiQ, INTER, REPARTI, CQMF, and COPL), two FRQ-S networks (REPAR and Cirris), two college technology transfer centers (TOPMED and Groupe CTT), public and industrial partners (CIUSSS-CN and BIO6), and four university research chairs (two Canada Chairs and two Canada-CIFAR Chairs).

The MAIN Project won the Fonds de recherche du Québec Award at the 35th edition of the ADRIQ Innovation Awards Gala in 2025.

The Social Participation and Inclusive Cities (Participation sociale et villes inclusives - PSVI) research team is an interdisciplinary, collaborative research group dedicated to improving accessibility, mobility, and social participation for people with disabilities in urban environments.

Mission and main objectives

• Improve access for people with disabilities to all aspects of urban life (built environment, communications, services, recreation, mobility, etc.).
• Empower these individuals and facilitate their full participation in social life.
• Produce applicable knowledge and innovations in collaboration with partners from various sectors (community, municipal, government, and academic).
• Facilitate the transfer and mobilization of knowledge to support concrete changes in practices, policies, and the urban environment.

A collaborative approach
PSVI operates using a participatory action research approach. Researchers, students, people with disabilities, and partners in the field co-create research projects. This approach combines scientific knowledge and experiential knowledge to meet the real needs of communities and promote the adoption of proposed solutions.

Composition and expertise
The team brings together approximately 40 permanent members from academic, community, public, and private sectors, as well as several occasional collaborators, including graduate students working on projects related to accessibility, mobility, inclusive design, etc.

In Quebec, access to public rehabilitation services can be limited by various factors:

• Insufficient availability of services in certain regions or for certain needs.
• Long wait times, which can reduce the potential for recovery.
• Cultural, geographic, or financial barriers that prevent some people from accessing services.

By bringing together information, initiatives, and resources, the portal aims to support changes to better meet the rehabilitation needs of the population.

Main objectives

• Promote access to rehabilitation services in Quebec.
• Serve as a showcase for projects and initiatives implemented by various stakeholders in the rehabilitation field.
• Provide a place to share resources and information on access to these services.

What is rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation encompasses services and interventions that aim to optimize the functioning and social participation of people with limitations or who need support after an illness, injury, or loss of abilities.

It includes, in particular:

• Independence in daily activities (moving, communicating, caring for oneself, etc.).
• Personal development in several areas (physical, cognitive, psychological).
• Prevention of disabilities and promotion of health.