Mitacs helps Neron AI build brain assessment tools for medical and military use

Challenge: Scaling neuroscience to real-world solutions

Neron AI’s Mitacs innovation project addressed two core challenges. First, it sought to transform lab-based neuromotor assessment hardware into a scalable, mobile solution that could be widely accessed by individuals and patients.

Second, it focused on translating over 20 years of neuroscience research into an intuitive application that clinicians could easily use for assessment while also supporting restorative intervention through brain training.

Through Mitacs’ support, Neron AI successfully addressed both challenges by advancing its integrated brain performance technology, culminating in the launch of two core modules within the Neron platform:

• NERON Dynamics™, a practitioner‑led assessment module designed to measure neuromotor control under cognitive load
• NERON Connect™, a participant‑facing training module that applies the same validated neuromotor principles to support structured, data‑informed improvement

Together, these modules operate as a single closed‑loop system — connecting assessment and training to enable measurable, longitudinal insight into functional brain performance.

The Mitacs-supported project demonstrated that scientific rigor could be preserved while delivering an intuitive, scalable digital solution.

This work opened new market opportunities for Neron AI, helped raise evidence standards within the brain-training industry, and helped make science-based tools for proactive brain health and healthy ageing more widely accessible.

Solution: Integrating scientific research into product development

Neron AI adopted a research-driven prototyping approach to translate validated neuromotor science into a functional assessment and brain-training solution. The project involved designing and testing game-based training mechanics that preserved the underlying neuroscience while prioritizing usability, engagement, and accessibility for a consumer audience.

Mitacs played a supportive role by enabling a close academic–industry collaboration with Dr. Lauren Sergio at York University and her team, whose expertise in neuromotor neuroscience helped ensure scientific integrity throughout product development. The partnership also reinforced long-term access to postsecondary research expertise and applied research.

Outcomes from Memory & Company, an innovative memory-care and active aging program developed in collaboration with York University’s Dr. Sergio, provide strong validation for Neron AI’s neuromotor integration approach. In a 16 week program combining visuomotor Neron AI training and integrated care, 80% of participants showed improved cognitive functioning, 60% demonstrated improved daily life functioning as reported by caregivers, and 100% showed gains in “thinking-while-moving” tasks.

Mitacs support allowed Neron AI to recruit and train a dedicated research trainee to lead the prototyping and testing work. This accelerated development while strengthening the translation of academic research into a commercially viable, real-world applications.

“Beyond direct research support, Mitacs has strengthened Neron AI’s innovation capacity by allowing the company to attract highly qualified talent, connect with academic networks, and applied research programs. This support helped de-risk early-stage innovation, expand Neron AI’s talent pipeline, and accelerate the exploration of new commercial opportunities.”

Reed Hanoun, CEO, Neron AI

Talent in motion: Supporting product development and growth

With support from Mitacs-funded interns, Neron AI gained specialized research capacity that strengthened innovation during its early development stage. The interns contributed directly to prototyping and turning Neron AI’s neuromotor science into a consumer-ready brain-training application, helping accelerate progress across product development, innovation, and engineering teams.

This engagement enabled Neron AI to advance product concepts, explore new market directions, and build internal technical expertise without the long-term risk associated with permanent hiring. It also strengthened the organization’s connection to academic research and reinforced the value of Mitacs as a pipeline for applied research talent.

Outcome: New products with market and dual-use applications

Since working with Mitacs, Neron AI has achieved several important outcomes that strengthened its R&D capability and research‑to‑market commercialization efforts. Insights gained through the Mitacs‑supported prototyping project were directly incorporated into the Neron AI platform, helping refine training mechanics, usability, and the effective translation of validated neuromotor science into a consumer‑facing experience.

Building on the success of its Mitacs-supported projects, Neron AI is developing new collaborations with York University and other research institutions to apply advanced AI across the Neron platform. These initiatives aim to extend validated neuromotor science through personalized assessment, real-time adaptive training, and stronger links between objective brain signatures and targeted intervention.

“Overall, Mitacs has been a critical catalyst for our growth, strengthening our R&D capabilities, supporting research-to-commercialization efforts, and positioning the company for continued innovation in evidence-based neurotechnology demonstrated by client adoption including Memory and Company and Defense Research Canada.”

Reed Hanoun, CEO, Neron AI

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) has used the visuomotor test underlying Neron AI’s technology since 2015 as part of its assessment framework for Canadian military personnel.

In formal correspondence, DRDC confirms the task has become an essential component for quantifying human performance, citing its ease of administration, consistency of data across researchers and trials, and strong participant engagement — particularly in longitudinal studies.

This long-term adoption in a performance-critical environment validates Neron AI’s ability to objectively measure neuromotor control under real-world demands where fatigue, stress, and readiness are present.