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CEO
Braze Mobility Inc.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Dr. Pooja Viswanathan holds an undergraduate degree (B. Math) in Computer Science (Bio-informatics option) from the University of Waterloo. She completed her PhD in Computer Science (Assistive Technology) in August 2012 at the University of British Columbia, under the supervision of Dr. Mackworth and Dr. Little. Her thesis was entitled, “Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance Help (NOAH) for Elderly Wheelchair Users with Cognitive Impairment in Long-Term Care.” Her research focused on the development of an intelligent wheelchair that helped prevent collisions and provided wayfinding assistance. The system was tested with cognitively-impaired older adults in a long-term care facility in Toronto, and was shown to increase safety and improve wayfinding performance. Her postdoctoral research at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute involved further development and testing of the intelligent wheelchair, as well as tackling issues related to deployment of the technology. She has published several peer-reviewed publications (https://www.brazemobility.com/publications), organized international workshops on "smart" wheelchairs, and authored book chapters on the same topic as well as knowledge translation and commercialization. Pooja also has industry experience in various sectors including banking, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and automotives. Pooja was named WXN Top 100 Most Powerful Women and BMO Entrepreneur 2021, and is on Robohub's international list of 50 Women in Robotics You Need to Know 2022.
Currently, Dr. Viswanathan is the founder and CEO of Braze Mobility Inc., a start-up commercializing blind spot sensors that transform any wheelchair into a "smart" wheelchair. Braze Mobility is a portfolio company of internationally recognized Techstars, Founder Institute, AARP Innovation Labs, and Google for Startups. Braze Mobility is also a collaborator of the Veterans Health Administration Innovation Ecosystem.
Braze Mobility Inc. (Products/Services: No) (Ownership Interest, Patent Holder, Stockholder/Ownership Interest (excluding diversified mutual funds))
Thursday, November 10, 2022
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
