Autism Robot Company Acquired By Avon Group

AVON, CT — An Avon-based private investment fund has taken over a Bristol firm specializing in robots that help treat autism.

Clean Feet Investors II out of Avon said last week it has acquired Bristol-based Movia Robotics Inc., rebranding the company "Movia, Inc."

According to Clean Feet, Movia was restructured after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Clean Feet said Movia's founder, Tim Gifford, will still be part of the new company and Movia Chief Executive Officer Kate Adams will stay on as CEO as well.

The robotics technology was developed by Gifford in collaboration with the University of Connecticut "over several years," Clean Feet wrote in a statement.

It is used by schools, clinics and families with children with autism.

Though they look like toys, the robots are really computerized education tools that help children on the spectrum learn.

“Through this collaboration, we have already expanded our business development efforts and released a new version of the software that improves the outcomes over our previous releases,” Gifford said in a statement.

Clean Feet officials said Movia has the potential to grow and that was the main reason for the acquisition.

"This is a strategic acquisition for CFI. The Movia products work well, and we see a growth opportunity. We are pleased to be able to support this product that helps so many children on the autism spectrum,” said Clean Feet Manager Bernie Zahren in a statement.

For more information on Clean Feet, click on this link.

For more information on Movia, Inc., click on this link.