The Texas Startup Teaching AI to Move Like Us

DARPA and FDA back implantable system enabling amputees to control robotic limbs more intuitively

10 Nov 2025

A Texas-based neurotechnology startup has drawn federal and investor backing to develop an implantable system that uses artificial intelligence to improve control of prosthetic limbs. Supported by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the company aims to bring mind-controlled prosthetics closer to clinical use.

At the centre of its design is a small implant that reads electrical signals from muscles beneath the skin and converts them into precise movements for robotic limbs. Unlike traditional surface sensors that can lose contact or misread signals, the system interprets muscle activity in real time, offering smoother and more responsive control.

The company raised $19mn in a Series A round in April 2025 led by a global prosthetics manufacturer. DARPA’s Commercial Strategy Office contributed about $300,000 to explore both medical and defence applications. The FDA has also granted Breakthrough Device and Targeted Acceleration Pathway designations, intended to speed the route to first-in-human trials expected in late 2025 or early 2026.

“This is the kind of leap that could finally unite biology and robotics,” said one medical technology consultant, describing the project as a possible turning point for the prosthetics industry. Early testing indicates that the implant could improve responsiveness and influence design standards across the sector.

The initiative comes amid growing interest in neuro-controlled systems that combine AI, sensors, and biocompatible materials. Such technologies are being pursued for applications ranging from rehabilitation medicine to military enhancement.

Technical and commercial challenges remain, including surgical complexity, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing costs. But the partnership of private investors, US government agencies, and regulators underscores the pace of progress in human–machine integration.

If successful, the company’s approach could reshape how amputees interact with prosthetics and mark a significant step toward practical fusion of neural and robotic systems.