Quick Read
- SFU opened WearTech Labs, a $17-million facility for wearable technology research and rapid prototyping.
- WearTech Labs uniquely integrates human science with engineering, supporting startups and researchers.
- Vancouver’s Hettas partnered with SFU to design running shoes for women, using biomechanical research.
- The lab accelerates development of health-monitoring devices, with facilities for sleep, wind, and motion studies.
- International experts praise the lab’s collaborative model for advancing personalized medicine and industry innovation.
SFU’s WearTech Labs: A New Era for Wearable Technology
In late 2025, Simon Fraser University (SFU) unveiled a pioneering facility that’s set to alter the landscape of wearable technology: WearTech Labs. Nestled across the SFU campus in Burnaby, British Columbia, this $17-million center is the latest proof that innovation flourishes when academia and industry collaborate. Half funded by federal and provincial grants, and half by the university itself, the lab is more than just a collection of machines—it’s a hub where human science meets cutting-edge engineering, promising breakthroughs that will touch clinics, workplaces, and homes.
Integrating Human Science and Technology: The Heart of WearTech Labs
What sets WearTech Labs apart from other research environments isn’t simply the impressive equipment—industrial sewing machines, electronic fabric printers, motion-capture camera systems, and specialized treadmills—but its philosophy. As Dr. Max Donelan, professor of biomedical physiology and kinesiology, puts it: “The whole question is, how do you effectively work with the human body?” This ethos is woven into every project, ensuring that technology genuinely enhances human life, not just in theory but in practice.
Co-leader Dr. Ed Park, professor of mechatronics and robotics, adds: “We want to see breakthroughs in wearables, so that those wearables are used in clinics, workplaces, and homes. And we want to help Canadian companies build world-class devices that are used by our public.”
The facility’s approach is unique in Canada—a tight integration of human-centered research and technological prototyping, giving businesses and researchers a chance to turn ideas into working prototypes at industry speed. This collaborative model enables not just academic exploration, but real-world testing and rapid iteration.
From Concept to Prototype: Real-World Impact for Canadian Innovation
WearTech Labs isn’t just a playground for scientists—it’s a launchpad for commercial innovation. One of its early beneficiaries is Hettas, a Vancouver-based startup founded by Lindsay Housman. Frustrated by the “shrink it and pink it” trend in women’s footwear—where products are simply downsized men’s designs—Housman turned to SFU for answers. Partnering with WearTech Labs, Hettas conducted literature reviews and focus group studies to understand the unique biomechanics of women’s feet, especially as they age or experience hormonal changes.
The research, which included collaborations with running-science expert Chris Napier, produced data that challenged industry assumptions and led to the development of shoes tailored to women’s needs. The studies went further, examining the impact of the menstrual cycle on running biomechanics and exploring wearable technology to monitor hormones and reduce injury risk.
“Women really want this information. So I think that’s really important,” Housman emphasized. The partnership exemplifies how WearTech Labs enables startups to move beyond guesswork, harnessing rigorous science to deliver products that genuinely improve lives.
Facilities Designed for Innovation: Where Ideas Become Reality
For those outside the industry, it’s easy to underestimate what modern labs can do. WearTech Labs is equipped to produce garments embedded with sensors, rapidly prototype devices, and conduct sophisticated testing. A wind tunnel—still under construction—will soon allow researchers to study how wearable gear performs in high-speed, real-world conditions, such as cycling. Equally important is the sleep room, designed for testing devices that monitor health while subjects rest, pushing the frontier of health-related wearables.
The lab’s ability to translate concepts into prototypes quickly is a game-changer. Daniel Ferris, professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Florida, noted after visiting SFU, “What researchers at SFU have created is the ability to turn concepts into prototypes that can efficiently demonstrate what works and what doesn’t.” This capacity is especially vital for health monitoring technologies, where clinical reliability matters far more than marketing hype.
Driving Healthcare, Industry, and Personalized Medicine Forward
The timing of WearTech Labs’ launch couldn’t be better. Canada faces a pressing need for research and development to boost productivity and quality of life, as highlighted in recent federal reports. Wearable technology, with its promise of personalized health monitoring and workplace safety, sits at the heart of this challenge.
Dr. Donelan’s work with exoskeletons—devices designed to aid those with movement difficulties—shows the lab’s broader potential. By supporting the entire journey from concept to commercialization, WearTech Labs isn’t just advancing research; it’s helping businesses navigate the complexities of developing medical devices for real-world use.
This private-public model is consciously built for speed and relevance. Businesses gain access to state-of-the-art equipment, expert knowledge, and real human subjects for testing—resources that can be scarce in traditional academic labs. As Dr. Ferris points out, “You could find some labs, academic research labs to do it, but they wouldn’t be used to working with companies. So the people who find us—they’re excited.”
Beyond the Lab: SFU’s Broader Commitment to Health and Technology
WearTech Labs’ momentum mirrors SFU’s wider ambitions. The university recently opened applications for its first medical cohort, signaling a commitment to health innovation that extends beyond wearable tech. Provincial initiatives in British Columbia, such as expanding broadband access and investing in public infrastructure, further support the ecosystem in which SFU operates. These moves position BC—and SFU—as leaders in building an economy powered by clean energy, technology, and high-quality healthcare.
The benefits ripple outward: as more businesses tap into SFU’s resources, Canadians can expect wearables that are smarter, safer, and tailored to their needs. Whether it’s a running shoe designed for women at every life stage, an exoskeleton to restore mobility, or a sleep monitor that helps doctors personalize care, the future is wearable—and WearTech Labs is making sure it’s also meaningful.
SFU’s WearTech Labs demonstrates the transformative power of integrating human-focused research with technology development. By accelerating the path from concept to product, the lab is not just advancing academic knowledge but also setting new standards for health, safety, and commercial innovation in Canada. Its collaborative approach ensures that the next generation of wearables will be both scientifically sound and practically useful—raising the bar for what technology can achieve when it puts people first.