From Muscular Dystrophy to Robotics Founder: Building the Future of Assistive Technology

What happens when lived experience meets entrepreneurship?

In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland sits down with Owen Kent, an entrepreneur living with muscular dystrophy who is reshaping the future of assistive technology.

After facing limited access to effective rehabilitation tools, Owen co-founded a company to develop a simple, home-based exoskeleton designed to make recovery more accessible. From customer discovery and design thinking to universal design principles, Owen shares how building technology for underserved communities requires more than innovation — it requires empathy.

We dive into:

• Developing a reflex knee brace for post-surgery recovery
• The RAMP (Robotic Assisted Mobility and Manipulation Platform)
• Robotic wheelchairs with advanced AI and robotic arms
• Partnering with the University of Pittsburgh to advance mobility technology
• Why qualitative feedback matters more than traditional KPIs
• The future of robotics in independent living

This conversation is a powerful look at how assistive tech, AI, and robotics are unlocking independence for people with disabilities and the aging population.

If you’re passionate about innovation, accessibility, entrepreneurship, or the future of mobility — this episode is for you.

🎧 Subscribe to We’re Not Stumped for more stories of resilience, innovation, and inclusive design.

https://assistivetech.dev/

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Watch on YouTube

Listen on Spotify

  • Scott Martin Play From Your Heart

March 10th, 2026|

In this deeply moving episode of We’re Not Stumped, host Mike Bolland welcomes Scott Martin, a bilateral hand amputee, soccer coach, and author of the upcoming memoir Play From Your Heart. Scott opens up about the life-altering infection in 1993 that led to the loss of both hands and parts of his feet, and the emotional aftermath that followed. He speaks honestly about denial, detachment, and the five-year struggle with depression that tested his identity, confidence, and purpose.

  • Owen Kent ATDev

March 3rd, 2026|

What happens when lived experience meets entrepreneurship? In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland sits down with Owen Kent, an entrepreneur living with muscular dystrophy who is reshaping the future of assistive technology. After facing limited access to effective rehabilitation tools, Owen co-founded a company to develop a simple, home-based exoskeleton designed to make recovery more accessible. From customer discovery and design thinking to universal design principles, Owen shares how building technology for underserved communities requires more than innovation — it requires empathy.

  • Lindsay Hicks

February 24th, 2026|

In this powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike sits down with Lindsay Hicks to share her courageous decision to choose amputation at age 22 — and the emotional and physical challenges that followed. Lindsay opens up about navigating identity after limb loss, the support of her parents, and the mindset that helped her move forward. She shares how setting a goal to walk unassisted by Christmas gave her focus during recovery and how resilience continues to shape her life today. The conversation also explores her prosthetic journey, serious medical complications including liver failure and infection, and the determination that helped her regain mobility after two years on crutches.

By |March 3rd, 2026|General Disability Related Resources and News|Comments Off on From Muscular Dystrophy to Robotics Founder: Building the Future of Assistive Technology

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Go to Top