Ankor is a handheld biofeedback device that uses real‑time respiratory sensing and AI‑driven adaptive algorithms to provide tactile cues guiding inhalation and exhalation, promoting parasympathetic activation. A companion mobile app records breath metrics, visualises trends and generates exportable reports compatible with EHR and telehealth platforms, supporting clinicians and self‑guided practice. Clinical trials show up to a 75 % reduction in anxiety symptoms within 15 minutes of use.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Many individuals with anxiety, stress, or neurodivergent conditions receive limited face‑to‑face therapy, resulting in low engagement, high cognitive load, and a lack of objective feedback to track progress. Traditional mental‑health interventions rely on verbal instructions or imagination, which can be difficult for users to internalise and sustain outside of sessions.
Solution
Ankor is a handheld, shape‑changing biofeedback device that externalises a user’s breath through precise tactile deformation. By coupling real‑time respiratory sensing with AI‑driven adaptive algorithms, the device delivers gentle physical prompts that guide inhalation and exhalation, promoting parasympathetic activation and rapid anxiety reduction. A companion mobile app records breath metrics, visualises session data, and generates objective reports that clinicians can integrate into treatment plans. The system works as a stand‑alone self‑help tool or as a complementary aid during therapist‑led sessions, enabling faster symptom relief and higher patient engagement. Clinical trials demonstrate up to a 75 % reduction in anxiety symptoms within 15 minutes of use.
Target Audience
Primary customers are mental‑health clinicians (psychologists, CBT therapists, occupational therapists) and healthcare organisations that deliver anxiety, stress, or neurodivergent support, as well as patients seeking a tangible, evidence‑based tool for self‑regulated breathing practice.
Features
- Shape‑changing interface that mirrors the natural rhythm of human respiration, providing kinaesthetic feedback for each breath phase (peak, trough, transition).
- Integrated respiratory sensor suite and low‑latency AI engine that analyses breathing patterns in real time and modulates tactile output accordingly.
- Adaptive modulation algorithms that personalise intervention intensity based on individual physiological responses and detected arousal spikes.
- Companion app delivering objective breath‑metrics, trend visualisations, and exportable reports compatible with common EHR and telehealth platforms.
- Transdiagnostic versatility supporting on‑site therapy, remote telehealth sessions, group workshops, and self‑guided practice.
- Neurodivergent‑inclusive settings offering adjustable feedback modalities (e.g., vibration strength, response latency) to accommodate diverse sensory preferences.
- Anti‑“safety‑behaviour” design that reinforces proactive coping strategies rather than short‑term avoidance tactics.
- Clinically‑informed engineering validated by randomised control trials and endorsed by mental‑health professionals.