About Us
Philip Sugar, Founder, President
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Management and Technology Program, Philip Sugar received dual degrees with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Wharton School of Business with a Concentration in Entrepreneurial Management, and a Bachelor of Applied Science, Engineering with Concentration in Systems Engineering from Moore School of Engineering. He has extensive start-up and management experience with a variety of software companies, and sits on the boards of other emerging technology companies.
Thomas Sugar, Ph.D., Founder, Director of Technology
Dr. Thomas Sugar, a wearable robotics expert, is an Associate Professor at Arizona State University - Polytechnic Campus. Dr. Sugar completed his degrees at the University of Pennsylvania, which include a Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and a B.S. in Management from The Wharton School of Business. In industry, he worked as a project engineer for W.L. Gore and Associates designing test equipment and machinery used in the footwear industry. Prior to joining Arizona State University, Dr. Sugar developed a coordinated system of multiple robots that can autonomously transport and lift objects.
Kevin Hollander, Ph.D., Founder, Director of Product Development
Dr. Kevin Hollander, a wearable robotics expert, currently leads the product development efforts at SpringActive. Dr. Hollander has been involved in a variety of biomechanics and clinical related research projects for more than 15 years, including the areas of tissue research and human gait.. Dr. Hollander received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. He received his Ph.D. in 2005 while attending Arizona State University. During that time, Dr. Hollander was selected as an inaugural participant in The Technology Ventures Clinic, a clinic involving the review, evaluation, planning and strategic development of the Intellectual Property held by Arizona State University.
DI (FH) Alexander Boehler, M.S., Senior Mechatronics Engineer
Mr. Boehler, partner and Senior Mechatronics Engineer at SpringActive, is an expert in the field of Mechatronics and a leader in the controls, electronics and system integration development at SpringActive, Inc. Mr. Boehler has received his Dipl. Ing. (FH) degree in Mechatronics at Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences in Dornbirn, Austria and his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. Having completed a Master’s degree is in Mechanical Engineering, Mr. Boehler has extended his research on Mechatronics through various research projects and applications.
Matthew Holgate, Ph.D., Senior Mechanical Engineer
Dr. Matthew Holgate, partner and robotics expert, is a leader in the research and development at SpringActive. Dr. Holgate completed his degrees at Arizona State University, which include a Ph.D., M.S.E., and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He received his Ph.D. in 2009 in the subject of control of robotic ankle prostheses. Dr. Holgate continued research in powered prosthetics at SpringActive as an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow and leads projects seeking to expand the performance of robotic devices to meet and exceed that of the human body.
Jeffrey Ward, Ph.D., Senior Mechanical Engineer
Dr. Jeffrey Ward, a partner and senior mechanical engineer, has extensive experience in developing wearable robotic systems and evaluating those systems with human participants. He received his Ph.D. from Arizona State University in 2009, where he developed an active robotic ankle for assisting the gait of stroke survivors. As an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at SpringActive, he has designed and developed a life-cycle testing machine for our robotic ankle technology as well as led the development of a biomechanical energy harvesting device. In addition, Dr. Ward has extensive experience in complex project management and has continued training in entrepreneurial development activities.