Milbotix
Milbotix is a Bristol-based digital health company that sells AI-enabled SmartSocks wearables, using embedded sensors and cloud-based Physiometrix software to detect distress and predict falls, primarily serving academic researchers today and care homes from late 2026.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersBristol, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Milbotix does
Milbotix is a Bristol-based digital health company founded in 2020 that develops SmartSocks, AI-enabled wearable sensors embedded in everyday socks that capture pulse, skin temperature, sweat (electrodermal activity), and motion, and stream the data to its proprietary cloud-based Physiometrix software. The Physiometrix software applies machine learning algorithms to detect emotional distress relative to the wearer's physiological baseline and to predict or detect falls, addressing a key unmet need in dementia and elderly care where patients often cannot verbalize anxiety or pain and frequently remove wrist-worn wearables.
The company operates a two-product roadmap. SmartSocks DISCOVERY, launched in July 2025, is sold to academic and clinical researchers at £499-£999 per kit (two pairs or five pairs of socks plus one or two removable sensors) with a mandatory £99-per-sensor annual cloud subscription; SmartSocks COMFORT, planned for late 2026, will deliver a per-wearer monthly subscription to care homes and home care agencies with caregiver alerts and smartphone apps. Revenue today is concentrated in low-ASP hardware plus a thin recurring subscription layer, with the larger recurring-services opportunity gated on COMFORT and pending ISO 13485 and DTAC certifications.
Milbotix has secured roughly £1.025 million in non-dilutive Innovate UK grants, a £125,000 seed round led by British Design Fund in September 2023 (with Two Magnolias, Crowdcube, and angel investors), and additional grants from the Alzheimer's Society Accelerator, UnLtd, Santander X, and the West of England Combined Authority. It holds a granted UK patent (GB2629048B) and Dutch patent (NL2037018), pursues a community and research-led go-to-market via the DISCOVERY Pioneers Competition, and collaborates with Bristol Robotics Laboratory, UK DRI's Minder study, Vilans, and HUG by LAUGH. The team is small (1-10 employees) and operates from Bristol with a registered office in Chipping Norton.
Milbotix firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Milbotix
- Legal name
- Milbotix Ltd
- Website
- https://milbotix.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Milbotix is a Bristol-based digital health company that sells AI-enabled SmartSocks wearables, using embedded sensors and cloud-based Physiometrix software to detect distress and predict falls, primarily serving academic researchers today and care homes from late 2026.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Milbotix industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Health Wearables
- NAICS
- Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Clinical-Grade Vital Signs Monitoring (ECG, SpO2, BP, Temp, Respiration) (HLACAPAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Elderly/Frail & Assisted Living Connected Care (PERS/Fall Detection) (HLACAFAE), Connected Medical Devices & Wearables (Sensors, Patches, Implantables) (HLACAPAB)
Keywords
Where Milbotix is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bristol
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Milbotix business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- SmartSocks DISCOVERY Product Sales: One-time hardware sales of SmartSocks kits and accessories to researchers. Kits include SmartSocks, removable sensors, chargers, and cloud dashboard access. Ongoing cloud subscription required for data collection.
- SmartSocks Cloud Services: Subscription required for data collection via SmartSocks Cloud Services. Currently £99 per sensor per annum plus VAT. Provides access to secure web dashboard for real-time physiological data visualisation and analysis.
- SmartSocks COMFORT (Planned 2026): Monthly per-wearer subscription model for care homes and domiciliary care. Will include real-time monitoring, alert capabilities, and caregiver smartphone app for distress detection and fall prevention.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | SmartSocks DISCOVERY Kit - Five pairs of socks with two sensors for larger research teams |
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | SmartSocks DISCOVERY Starter Kit - Entry-level kit for individual researchers and small teams |
| Subscription | Annual | SmartSocks Cloud Services - Required annual subscription for data collection |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | SmartSocks COMFORT Developer Programme - Early access and co-development opportunity |
| Subscription | Monthly | SmartSocks COMFORT - Care home and domiciliary care solution (Planned late 2026) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Milbotix product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Milbotix designs, manufactures, and sells AI-enabled wearable sock devices (SmartSocks®) embedded with e-textile and silicon sensors that continuously capture pulse, skin temperature, electrodermal activity, and motion. Proprietary cloud-based Physiometrix software applies machine learning algorithms to detect emotional distress and falls, producing Calmness, Mobility, and Activity scores for caregivers and researchers. The portfolio comprises SmartSocks DISCOVERY (a research platform launched July 2025) and SmartSocks COMFORT (a care home and domiciliary care solution planned for late 2026).
Product overview
Milbotix offers the SmartSocks family of AI-enabled wearable devices embedded in everyday clothing. The portfolio comprises two main product lines: SmartSocks DISCOVERY (research platform launched July 2025) for researchers investigating neurocognitive, movement, and sleep disorders; and SmartSocks COMFORT (planned late 2026) for fall prevention and wellbeing management in care homes. Supporting accessories include sensor packs, sock packs, charger packs, and power supplies. The system uses e-textile and silicon sensors to measure pulse, temperature, sweat, and motion, with proprietary Physiometrix software analysing data via cloud-based machine learning algorithms to detect emotional distress and fall risk.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SmartSocks®: AI-enabled sock wearable devices embedded in everyday clothing for use in research, social care and healthcare. The socks contain e-textile and silicon sensors measuring pulse, temperature, sweat, and motion.
Products and services
- SmartSocks DISCOVERY Kit Research-focused wearable data collection platform for larger research teams, including five pairs of machine-washable SmartSocks with two removable sensors that capture pulse, temperature, electrodermal activity, and motion. Designed for researchers investigating neurocognitive, movement, and sleep disorders in participants who may remove wrist-worn devices.
- SmartSocks DISCOVERY Starter Kit Entry-level research platform for individual researchers, MSc and PhD students, and small teams. Includes two pairs of machine-washable SmartSocks, one removable sensor, charger, laundry bag, and 12-month cloud subscription.
- SmartSocks COMFORT Fall prevention and wellbeing management solution for care homes and home care agencies using sensorised socks to track calmness, mobility, and activity, with AI-powered alerts to caregivers when wearers experience emotional distress or elevated fall risk.
- SmartSocks Cloud Services Annual cloud subscription required for SmartSocks data collection, providing access to a secure web dashboard for real-time physiological data visualisation, analysis, and storage. Priced at £99 per sensor per annum plus VAT.
Quantifiable outcome
- Early prototype evaluations at Chestnut Lodge care home showed SmartSocks detected conditions like anxiety and restlessness about twice daily in residents with such issues
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Milbotix
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Milbotix technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability3 records
Feature5 records
Milbotix partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Alzheimer's Society Accelerator ProgrammecoreMilbotix secured investment and support through Alzheimer's Society's Accelerator programme, the UK's leading dementia charity. The programme acted as a catalyst for commercialisation of SmartSocks technology. Milbotix was also invited to present at AAIC 2024 and is the first Accelerator-backed company to collaborate with another (HUG by LAUGH) from the programme.
- Bristol Robotics LaboratorycoreFoundational research began at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, the most comprehensive academic centre for multi-disciplinary robotics research in the UK. Led by Milbotix founder Dr Zeke Steer during his doctoral research. Continued collaboration on assistive living technologies.
- UK Dementia Research InstitutecoreResearch collaboration with UK DRI Care Research & Technology Centre at Imperial College London. Matthew Harrison (Senior Designer) providing expertise. Milbotix trialling SmartSocks in Living Lab and community settings as part of Minder study with over 240 participants.
- HUG by LAUGHcoreGroundbreaking collaboration announced May 2025 to enhance wellbeing in dementia care. Combining SmartSocks monitoring with HUG sensory devices to provide measurable quantitative evidence of HUG's effectiveness as non-pharmacological intervention. Both are Alzheimer Society Accelerator alumni.
- VilansminorDutch Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care conducting evaluation of SmartSocks and HUG impact on wellbeing in two dementia care facilities in the Netherlands. Part of collaboration aiming to demonstrate cost savings and support future NHS pilot.
- University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)coreAcademic partner from foundational research through current collaborations. Dr Zeke Steer is Visiting Fellow at UWE's Centre for Health & Clinical Research. Prof Annie Brooking (Head of Marketing) affiliated with university. UWE student Luigi Moretti conducting SmartSocks research.
- Imperial College LondoncoreAcademic collaboration on SmartSocks research through UK DRI Centre for Care Research & Technology. Sarah Daniels (research lead) featured in dementia care discussions. Continued research partnership for validation studies.
- Cranfield UniversityminorResearch partner collaborating on SmartSocks technology validation as part of the network of academic institutions supporting the platform.
- University of ExeterminorAcademic partner with Prof Helen Dawes on judging panel for SmartSocks DISCOVERY Pioneers Competition. Part of research validation network.
- Brunel University LondonminorDr Byron Creese conducting SmartSocks research in care home environments, featured in ITV Evening News coverage. Part of expanding research validation network.
- SETsquared BristolcoreRanked as the world's top business incubator, SETsquared Bristol accepted Milbotix in 2022 providing mentorship, facilities, and investor connections for startup growth.
- Conception XminorUK's leading PhD deeptech venture programme. Milbotix joined Conception X in 2021 helping translate doctoral research into commercial venture.
- Microsoft for StartupsminorAccelerator programme providing startups with Azure cloud credits, support resources, and technical guidance to help grow their business.
- AWS ActivateminorAWS programme providing startups with cloud credits, technical support, and training for building scalable solutions on Amazon Web Services infrastructure.
- NVIDIA InceptionminorNVIDIA's startup programme for AI and deep learning companies, providing GPU technology access, technical support, and investment connections.
- AgeUKminorProject partner in SAW-Health initiative (£392k MRC-funded) exploring socially assistive robotic systems. Milbotix contributing SmartSocksDISCOVERY for physiological monitoring.
- ExtraCare Charitable TrustminorProject partner in SAW-Health initiative providing care setting for research into assistive technologies supporting physical and mental wellbeing in ageing populations.
- St Monica TrustminorCare home operator where founder Zeke Steer volunteered during research, identifying need for SmartSocks technology. Garden House dementia unit staff provided insights on distress management. Continued collaboration on product development.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Milbotix competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Whoop: Subscription-based wearable (strap form factor) measuring HR, HRV, sleep, and recovery with ML-driven insights. Comparable as a hardware-plus-subscription health wearable with continuous physiological monitoring, though consumer performance-focused rather than clinical/elderly care.
- Oura: Consumer health wearables ring measuring HR, HRV, temperature, and activity with AI-driven readiness and sleep insights. Comparable as a connected wearable with continuous physiological monitoring and subscription model, though a consumer wellness device rather than clinical-grade or dementia-targeted.
Direct peers
- CarePredict: US-based wearable AI platform for senior living and elderly care, offering continuous activity, behavior, and health monitoring. Directly comparable to Milbotix's SmartSocks COMFORT in targeting care homes and home care agencies with proactive wellness alerts, though using a wrist-worn device rather than sock form factor.
- Sensoria Health: Developer of sensor-embedded smart garments (including socks) for health monitoring, rehabilitation, and gait analysis. Most direct comparable to Milbotix in form factor (textile-based wearables) and use cases (gait, fall risk, rehab), though broader in application scope beyond dementia.
- Empatica: Wearable biosensor company with FDA-cleared EpiMonitor (epilepsy) and research-grade E4 wristband measuring EDA, heart rate, temperature, and motion. Highly comparable in physiological signal stack (EDA, HR, temp, motion) and ML-based distress/event detection, though wrist-based rather than sock-based.
Broad incumbents
- Tunstall Healthcare: Established UK-based telecare and remote patient monitoring provider with deep care home and home care agency penetration. Comparable as a PERS/RPM incumbent selling monitoring solutions into the same care home buyer base, though offering traditional pendant and hub-based systems rather than AI-enabled sock wearables.
- Biofourmis: AI-driven remote patient monitoring platform with continuous biosensor data and predictive analytics. Comparable in ML-based health signal interpretation and enterprise RPM GTM, though focused on hospital-to-home transitions rather than dementia-specific care home monitoring.
- Current Health (Best Buy Health): Acquired by Best Buy Health in 2022, Current Health provides an AI-powered remote patient monitoring platform with continuous wearable monitoring. Comparable as a continuous vital-sign monitoring + alerting platform targeting clinical and enterprise buyers, though with upper-arm wearable rather than sock form factor.
Emerging players
- PhysIQ: AI analytics platform applied to continuous ambulatory biosensor data for personalized physiology baselines and early deterioration detection. Comparable in the AI-on-physiological-signals approach and personalization to individual baselines, though primarily a software/analytics layer rather than own hardware.
- AliveCor: FDA-cleared consumer and clinical ECG wearable (KardiaMobile) with AI-based arrhythmia detection. Comparable as a connected wearable medical device with AI-driven event detection, though focused on cardiac applications rather than dementia distress monitoring.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Milbotix social profiles
Digital presenceMilbotix compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Milbotix financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Milbotix leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Milbotix funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Milbotix M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Milbotix
What does Milbotix do?
Milbotix designs, manufactures, and sells AI-enabled wearable sock devices (SmartSocks®) embedded with e-textile and silicon sensors that continuously capture pulse, skin temperature, electrodermal activity, and motion. Proprietary cloud-based Physiometrix software applies machine learning algorithms to detect emotional distress and falls, producing Calmness, Mobility, and Activity scores for caregivers and researchers. The portfolio comprises SmartSocks DISCOVERY (a research platform launched July 2025) and SmartSocks COMFORT (a care home and domiciliary care solution planned for late 2026).
Is Milbotix a public or private company?
Milbotix is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Milbotix founded?
Milbotix was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Milbotix based?
Milbotix is headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Milbotix make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. SmartSocks DISCOVERY Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are smartSocks Cloud Services and smartSocks COMFORT (Planned 2026).
Who are Milbotix's main competitors?
Others on record are Whoop and Oura. Direct peers are CarePredict, Sensoria Health and Empatica. Broad incumbents are Tunstall Healthcare, Biofourmis and Current Health (Best Buy Health). Emerging players are PhysIQ and AliveCor.
Does Milbotix have an API?
Yes. SmartSocks COMFORT features an Application Programming Interface (API) for integration with 3rd-party systems, enabling interoperability with existing digital infrastructure and workflows.
What industry is Milbotix in?
Milbotix's product category is Digital Health Wearables. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLACAPAI, Clinical-Grade Vital Signs Monitoring (ECG, SpO2, BP, Temp, Respiration), with a secondary code of HLACAFAE, Elderly/Frail & Assisted Living Connected Care (PERS/Fall Detection). Its NAICS code is 334510 and its SIC code is 3845.