Axtion Independence Mobility Inc. puts Canada’s assistive-technology innovation in the spotlight 

The challenge: Seniors’ safety and independence

Falls are a growing global health challenge for seniors and people with mobility limitations. While many assistive devices support balance or walking, few address what happens after a fall. For individuals living independently who are unable to get back up safely and have not sustained an injury, this can lead to a loss of confidence, increased dependence, and earlier transitions out of the home. 

This challenge became personal in 2019 when Tracey McGillivray’s father, Ray, began experiencing frequent falls at home. Despite searching for solutions, McGillivray found no device designed to support independent recovery after a fall, much less prevent the fall in the first place. What started as a family concern quickly revealed a broader gap faced by aging populations. 

The solution: A lift for safety

To address this unmet need, McGillivray and Liam Maaskant, co-founded Axtion Independence Mobility Inc. to create a portable, in-home assistive device (RAYMEX® Lift) that enables seniors and individuals with mobility limitations to continue with everyday activities, and in the unfortunate event a fall happens, recover from falls independently when no injury is present. 

RAYMEX® Lift, named after McGillivray’s father, Ray, is designed to descend to floor level and safely raise a person back to standing. This device supports fall recovery while also assisting with everyday mobility, helping users maintain independence in their own homes. In addition to fall recovery, the RAYMEX® Lift also serves as a transfer aid, reduces the need for bending/squatting/kneeling, is a walking aid, and supports safe sit-to-stand exercise as a rehab tool. 

The RAYMEX® Lift can also help reduce caregiver injuries and resulting absences in healthcare facilities. It is smaller, faster, and easier to use for caregivers and requires significantly less physical strain (e.g., bending, kneeling, and patient handling) than other lifting and transfer aids. A third of the healthcare workforce in long-term care is over the age of 50 themselves and require better, more ergonomically friendly tools. 

The outcome: A successful launch

The RAYMEX® Lift has since gained national visibility as a practical response to a growing health challenge. The Nova Scotia–born innovation was featured on CTV News Atlantic in the fall, highlighting both the real-world need it addresses and the personal story behind its development. 

Axtion Independence Mobility Inc.’s journey reflects how personal experience, paired with applied research support, can lead to meaningful assistive-technology solutions designed to support independence and aging in place. 

Talent in Action: Mitacs-funded research-to-commercialization

With support from Mitacs through the Accelerate program, Axtion Independence Mobility Inc. accessed research talent and applied research support, namely with Dr. Clifton Johnston at Dalhousie University, to help advance the development of the RAYMEX®  Lift. This early collaboration contributed to design exploration and refinement during a formative stage of the project. 

By connecting the company with academic expertise, Mitacs supported the translation of lived experience into applied innovation. Axtion’s work demonstrates how early research partnerships can help founders explore new approaches to real-world challenges, particularly in areas where existing solutions fall short. 

The RAYMEX® Lift was recently featured on the season finale of CBC’s Dragons’ Den, significantly increasing national and international attention after the Dragons’ Den teaser posts on Instagram and TikTok went viral. As a Mitacs partner, the company demonstrates how collaboration and applied research can support the development of innovative solutions that help people maintain independence and age in place. Watch their Dragons Den teaser below! 

Mitacs’s programs receive funding from multiple partners across Canada. We thank the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon for supporting us to empower Canadian innovation. 

Do you have a business challenge that could benefit from a research solution? If so, contact Mitacs today to discuss partnership opportunities: [email protected]. 

Mitacs’s programs receive funding from multiple partners across Canada. We thank the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon for supporting us to empower Canadian innovation. 

Do you have a business challenge that could benefit from a research solution? If so, contact Mitacs today to discuss partnership opportunities: [email protected]. 

Related news

https://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/episodes/season-20-episode-14

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