Medical professionals and architects behind the Chelyabinsk sandbox, commended by Putin, collaborate for the rehabilitation of children
Collaboration Between South Ural State Medical University and 'Innovations for Children' Advances Children's Rehabilitation
The 'Innovations for Children' project, a pioneer in leveraging artificial intelligence, robotics, and interdisciplinary biomedical research for children's rehabilitation, has recently secured awards in both the IT and People Changing the Country categories.
This recognition came from the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, and the project's co-founder, Dmitry Andreyev, received the 'People Changing the Country' award in Moscow in July 2025. The project also won in the 'IT' category of the federal 'Know Our Brands' competition in 2024.
The collaboration between the South Ural State Medical University (SUSMU) and 'Innovations for Children' is a significant step forward in the development of children's rehabilitation technologies. The partnership aligns with SUSMU’s priority areas, including medical biology, psychology, and technological innovation aimed at improving health outcomes and rehabilitation methods for pediatric populations.
SUSMU, with its extensive expertise in medicine and rehabilitation, is actively developing AI and robotics clusters. For instance, the university plans to launch a robotics cluster for children, which will integrate AI-driven solutions and robotics tailored for pediatric needs. SUSMU also hosts multiple research centers and laboratories specializing in medical biology and psychology, supporting interdisciplinary approaches to rehabilitation.
The advanced education programs in psychology at SUSMU, covering counseling and psychological assistance, complement the development of rehabilitation technologies by addressing psychological well-being alongside physical rehabilitation. Despite the lack of specific project details between SUSMU and 'Innovations for Children' in the sources, SUSMU’s strategic emphasis on AI, robotics, and psychological-biomedical research indicates significant progress and achievements in child-focused rehabilitation technologies.
The collaboration between SUSMU and 'Innovations for Children' will result in a specialized lab based at the South Ural State Medical University. This lab's primary focus will be on developing and testing interactive solutions for children with speech, cognitive, and motor impairments. The solutions will be adapted from technologies used in education and games for therapeutic purposes.
The Acting Rector of SUSMU, Olga Abramovskikh, stated that the collaboration between SUSMU and 'Innovations for Children' is an investment in a healthy future. The project was discussed at IT-Park74's office, and cooperation with an industrial partner like 'Innovations for Children' will enable SUSMU to quickly translate scientific ideas into practical products.
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, visited the booth and was shown the interactive sandbox created by the Chelyabinsk-based creators, although no further information about the nature of the 'Smart' Sandbox is provided in this context. The lab is being created with the aim of improving children's rehabilitation technologies, and Igor Grigoryev, CEO of 'Innovations for Children', expressed hope that their joint work with SUSMU will improve the quality and clinical significance of their solutions.
This collaboration marks an exciting development in the field of children's rehabilitation, combining the expertise of SUSMU with the innovative technologies of 'Innovations for Children' to create a brighter future for children with impairments.
- The collaboration between South Ural State Medical University (SUSMU) and 'Innovations for Children' signifies a merge of traditional medical-conditions knowledge with cutting-edge technology, aiming to advance children's health and wellness through rehabilitation.
- This partnership also reflects SUSMU's commitment to education and self-development, as they actively engage in the development of AI and robotics clusters, including a new robotics cluster specifically for children.
- Furthermore, the specialized lab being developed as a result of this collaboration will focus on creating interactive solutions for children, integrating technologies from health-and-wellness, education, and gaming to aid in the rehabilitation of children with speech, cognitive, and motor impairments.