At the heart of innovation is the ability to adapt and execute, especially when time, geography, and expectations create constraints. That’s the story behind Rui, our social robot designed to support dementia care. Rui isn’t just a prototype. It’s the outcome of a care-focused approach, deep collaboration, global coordination, and a strategic extension of our engineering footprint into China.
We assembled and manufactured two units of Rui in just one month. All our design and development work is primarily carried out in Pakistan, but we knew that execution at this speed would require a different approach and a different place. With support from the AITC grant (grant number: P30AG073104) and a clear goal in sight, we decided to manufacture the final prototype in China.
A small team of our engineers traveled to Chongqing, where we were welcomed (and incubated) into xBot Park — a robotics and smart hardware innovation hub that gave us access to a high-tech facility for focused development. Founded in 2014 by robotics expert Professor Li Zexiang and his colleagues, xBot Park is a global startup incubator specializing in robotics and smart hardware. It provides startups with comprehensive support, including R&D facilities, office spaces, and access to a robust supply chain network.
With our team on the ground and everything else handled in-house — from design to systems integration — we were able to move quickly without compromising quality.
Why China made sense for this build
The decision to operate from China was driven by a combination of logistical, technical, and operational needs. We worked closely with global vendors to ensure all critical components were sourced, shipped, and delivered on time. Having a base in China gave us access to better logistics and vendor networks, which helped us navigate around the common bottlenecks we had encountered previously. This allowed us to begin assembly without the usual delays or disruptions.
In addition to smoother sourcing, the xBot Park provided a high-grade engineering facility that matched the speed and quality we needed. The availability of advanced tools and development infrastructure made it possible to complete physical assembly and testing in record time. Our presence there gave us the flexibility to make on-the-spot decisions, troubleshoot quickly, and stay on track under tight deadlines.
Strategic Continuity and On-the-Ground Leadership
This project also reflects our growing capability to provide continuity and flexibility for projects that demand it. While our core engineering remains rooted in Pakistan, we have had an active presence in Shanghai, China, since 2018, which allows us to move faster when timelines or conditions require it. Our China office has been instrumental in facilitating our operations and collaborations in the region. This isn’t a one-off experiment—it’s a deliberate part of how we scale high-complexity projects while reducing risk for our partners.
Anna Wu, who leads our China operations, has been instrumental in setting up and guiding our team. Her leadership has made it easier for our engineers to stay focused and meet their timelines without having to worry about the peripherals. With her support, we’ve built an environment where our technical teams can work efficiently and collaboratively across borders.
Rui’s Purpose and What Lies Ahead
Rui’s core purpose remains unchanged: to be a social companion for dementia patients and a source of support for caregivers. It’s an AI-powered empathetic robot that uses advanced algorithms to monitor patients’ daily activities, notice emotional shifts, engage in friendly conversations, remind users of medications or tasks, and even share updates with caregivers. It’s designed to be helpful, approachable, and empathetic — not just smart.
As we continue to evolve Rui and explore its applications in elder care, this experience reinforces what we’ve always believed—that speed, quality, and flexibility can go hand in hand when the right people and systems are in place.
