cogvis

About cogvis

Cogvis, a Vienna-based company founded in 2007, operates in the HealthTech and Active and Assisted Living (AAL) markets. The firm originated as a spin-off from the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), building on extensive research in computer vision, machine learning, and 3D data processing. Co-founders include Dr. Rainer Planinc, who serves as CEO, and Dipl. Ing Michael Brandstötter. Planinc's entrepreneurial path started during his PhD at TU Wien where he led research projects that formed the basis of the company's core product, while Brandstötter brings over 25 years of experience in product development and research. Professor Martin Kampel of TU Wien's Computer Vision Lab was also a co-founder, driving the transfer of academic research into market-ready products.

The company's business is centered on its main product, CogvisAI, a patient monitoring system designed for healthcare facilities such as nursing homes and hospitals. This system utilizes a 3D infrared smart sensor combined with artificial intelligence to monitor patients while protecting their privacy. Instead of a camera, the technology projects an infrared dot pattern into a room, converting the reflected data into a 3D representation where individuals are not personally identifiable. All data processing occurs in real-time directly on the sensor, ensuring rapid alerts and a high standard of data security. Cogvis generates revenue primarily through the sale and deployment of its hardware and modular software solutions, operating as a venture capital-backed private entity.

The CogvisAI system is a modular platform offering solutions for fall detection and prevention, activity monitoring, and dementia care. It can detect when a person is getting out of bed, sitting up, or has fallen, and automatically sends an alert to a nurse call system or a dedicated app. The system is credited with reducing falls by up to 72%. Key milestones include the completion of the first prototype in 2017, achieving a strong product-market fit in early 2021, and launching a second generation of its sensor in 2023. CogvisAI is used in over 200 care facilities across Europe, including in the DACH region, France, Benelux, and Sweden, with several thousand sensors in daily operation.