Human Fusions Institute

What Human Fusions Institute does

Human Fusions Institute (HFI) is a transdisciplinary academic research institute established in 2020 and headquartered on the Case Western Reserve University campus in Cleveland, Ohio. It develops peripheral nerve interface and haptic feedback technologies that enable bi-directional communication between the human nervous system and digital, robotic, or virtual environments, with primary applications in prosthetic limb control and sensory restoration, chronic pain management, post-mastectomy sensation (the Bionic Breast Project), and telepresence/virtual reality. Core technology platforms include NeuroReality (virtual environment integration), the iSens wireless implanted sensorimotor interface, C-FINEs (cuff-type flat interface nerve electrodes), MiiNS (minimally invasive interfascicular nerve stimulation), the Adjustable Contact Electrode Rings, the Saturn II haptic device, and the Phantom wearable, the last of which underpins the Afference spin-off.

HFI operates as a non-commercial research entity rather than a product company, with funding drawn from federal research grants (Department of Defense, NIH, DARPA, NSF), philanthropic donations, and technology licensing to commercial partners. It executes clinical trials with healthcare partners including the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, University of Chicago Medical Center, University Hospitals, and MetroHealth, and translates research into the market through spin-off companies, most notably Afference Inc., whose Phantom device won the CES 2024 Best of Innovation award. Leadership comprises Director Dustin Tyler (PhD, Arthur S. Holden Professor of Engineering, National Academy of Inventors Fellow) and Executive Director Mark Mykleby (retired USMC Colonel), supported by approximately 19 faculty and staff and an extended network of academic collaborators across CWRU, UCLA, and Cleveland State University.

Name

Human Fusions Institute

Legal name

Human Fusions Institute

Website

https://humanfusions.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Human Fusions Institute is a Cleveland-based academic research institute developing peripheral nerve interface and haptic feedback technologies that connect the human nervous system to prosthetics, robotics, and virtual environments, serving wounded service members, amputees, and chronic pain patients through federally funded research and clinical partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Neural Interface Research

NAICS

Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)

akta.pro primary industry

Assistive & Accessibility Input Devices (Switches, Adaptive Controllers, Braille Keyboards) (HDACAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

VR/XR Hardware & Accessories (Headsets, Controllers, Trackers, Haptics) (MPAFAGAG), Computer Access & Alternative Input (Switch, Eye Gaze, Head/Mouse, Keyboards) (EDAKAIAD), Accessibility & Special Needs Equipment (Assistive Devices, Adaptive Furniture, Sensory Rooms) (EDAEAIAM), Modeling, Simulation, Digital Twins & Mission Rehearsal Systems (IMABAOAL)

Keywords

• Neural interface technology
• Haptic feedback systems
• Neuroprosthetic devices
• Tactile stimulation research
• Brain-computer interfaces

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Government Research Grants: Primary funding from Department of Defense ($9.9M for prosthetic research), NIH grants, DARPA funding, and National Science Foundation grants supporting ongoing research programs
2. Technology Licensing: Licensing cutting-edge neural interface and haptic technology to commercial partners (e.g., Afference spinoff) for product development and market deployment
3. Clinical Trial Services: Conducting clinical trials with healthcare partners (VA Medical Center, University of Chicago) to validate sensory neuroprosthetic technologies

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Human Fusions Institute conducts fundamental and applied research on neural interface and haptic feedback technology, including implantable stimulators and tactile feedback systems. The institute develops proprietary IP for prosthetic, virtual reality, augmented reality, and military applications, and licenses resulting technology to commercial spin-off companies such as Afference.

Product overview

Human Fusions Institute (HFI) is a research institute developing neurotechnology for human-technology integration. The core portfolio includes neural interface systems (NeuroReality, iSens), implantable nerve stimulation devices (C-FINEs, MiiNS), and haptic feedback technologies (Phantom, Adjustable Contact Electrode Rings). Applications span prosthetics (sensory-enabled upper limb prostheses), medical (Bionic Breast Project for mastectomy patients, chronic pain management), virtual reality/telepresence, and robotics. Key technologies include the NeuroReality platform for direct nervous system-to-virtual-environment connection, the iSens wireless implanted system for limb sensory restoration, and the C-FINEs electrode technology used across multiple clinical applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NeuroReality: HFI's proprietary technology that creates direct neural connections to virtual environments, enabling users to experience and interact with virtual worlds first-hand without external devices.
• Afference
• MiiNS
• iSENS

Products and services

• Haptic Feedback Neural Interface Technology
• Federally Sponsored Neural Interface Research

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Case Western Reserve UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary host institution providing 50+ years of neural engineering expertise. HFI is headquartered on CWRU campus and leverages university's research infrastructure, faculty, and students for interdisciplinary research in human-technology integration.
• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCLA Biomechatronics Laboratory (directed by Veronica Santos) collaborates on robotic prosthetics and mechanical systems research. Joint student supervision and conference presentations across institutions.
• Cleveland State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSU team focuses on human experience and societal impact through Society 5.0 and HELPPS initiatives. Nicholas Zingale leads transdisciplinary research on ethics, technology, and institutional governance.
• University of Chicago Medical CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partner for Bionic Breast Project collaboration on mastectomy sensory restoration research. Surgeons Dr. Nora Jaskowiak and Dr. Summer Hanson perform implant procedures; Dr. Stacy Tessler Lindau serves as NIH grant PI.
• Louis Stokes VA Medical CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical trial partner for sensory-enabled upper limb prosthetic research. Co-recipient of $9.9M Department of Defense grant for prosthetic hand studies with tactile feedback.
• Afference Inc.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerSpin-off company founded on HFI technology. Commercializing The Phantom wearable haptic device that brings tactile sensation to virtual reality through non-invasive electrical nerve stimulation. Awarded CES 2024 Best of Innovation.
• Cleveland FES CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on functional electrical stimulation (FES) research and technology development for restoring function in individuals with neurological conditions.
• MetroHealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic medical center partnership for cross-institutional prosthetic research alongside Cleveland VA Medical Center and University Hospitals.
• University HospitalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic medical center partnership for cross-institutional prosthetic research alongside Cleveland VA Medical Center and MetroHealth.
• University of WyomingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration as part of ANA Avatar XPRIZE team led by Dustin Tyler for telepresence technology development.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Paradromics: Implantable brain-computer interface company developing high-data-rate neural recording and stimulation devices. Comparable as a next-generation neural interface platform pursuing clinical translation, though focused on cortical rather than peripheral nerve targets.
• Synchron: Clinical-stage brain-computer interface company developing a minimally invasive neural interface for motor restoration in paralyzed patients. Comparable to HFI's iSens and spinal cord injury work in addressing motor/sensory restoration via implantable neural interfaces.
• Ripple Neuro: Developer of neural recording and stimulation tools for research and clinical applications, including closed-loop neurostimulation. Overlaps with HFI on the broader neurotechnology toolchain and is a potential research-instrumentation partner or competitor.
• Afference Inc. Direct spin-off of HFI commercializing the Phantom wearable haptic device that uses HFI's neural stimulation IP. Most directly comparable because it is built on HFI technology and targets the same VR/haptic feedback market with a non-invasive form factor.

Direct peers

• HaptX: Developer of force-feedback haptic gloves for VR/AR and robotics. Comparable to Afference/Phantom on the VR haptic feedback side, competing in the same commercial market with a different (force-feedback exoskeleton) technical approach.
• Neuralink: High-profile implantable brain-computer interface company developing cortical devices for motor control and sensory restoration. Compares to HFI's neural interface ambition at the central nervous system level rather than HFI's peripheral nerve focus, but addresses the same ultimate end-user of restored function.
• bHaptics: Consumer-facing haptic hardware company building vests, gloves, and arm accessories for VR gaming. Comparable to HFI/Afference in commercial haptic VR peripherals, with a vibrotactile (rather than neural-stimulation) approach.
• Blackrock Neurotech: Long-standing neural interface company developing implantable electrode arrays for prosthetics, BCI research, and clinical applications. Directly comparable to HFI on the implantable neural interface for prosthetic control and sensory feedback, though more commercially mature.

Broad incumbents

• Battelle: Large non-profit R&D organization with a long history in neurotechnology and neural engineering, including military-funded neural interface programs. Comparable to HFI's federal-grant-funded model, defense customer base, and translational research focus.
• Cleveland FES Center: Existing HFI partner focused on functional electrical stimulation for restoration of movement in individuals with paralysis. Directly comparable in patient population (spinal cord injury, stroke) and in using electrical stimulation as a therapeutic modality.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HumanFusions
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWnQF74xHkximSnPnoyHIlw
• Facebookfacebook.com/humanfusionsinstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/humanfusions
• Instagraminstagram.com/humanfusions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Human Fusions Institute