KITE : Making a Difference

The Toronto Rehab Institute’s KITE Research Institute isn’t just another research arm – it’s a powerhouse of innovation, where science meets real-world impact for people living with disability, illness and the challenges of aging. As part of the University Health Network, KITE has earned its global reputation as the top-ranked rehabilitation research facility in the world, and for good reason: it’s a place where bold ideas are transformed into practical solutions that change lives.

KITE stands for Knowledge, Innovation, Talent, Everywhere-a fitting name for an institute that brings together 127 principal investigators, over 150 scientific trainees, and 175 staff, all working across 56,000 square feet of specialized labs spread over five sites in Toronto. Their mission? To tackle the toughest problems in rehabilitation science, from preventing injuries and restoring function to helping people live independently and participate fully in society.

During my recent visit – finally fulfilling a long-held dream – I joined colleagues for a behind-the-scenes tour as part of the Canadian Fall Prevention Conference. Security was tight: we signed NDAs and faced restrictions on photography, but what we saw more than made up for it.

We explored six of KITE’s cutting-edge labs, each one a marvel of modern research:

FallsLab: Here, scientists are on a mission to understand balance and gait, developing therapies and technologies to prevent falls. The lab is soon upgrading to a markerless motion capture system, making it easier and faster to study movement in people of all abilities-a game-changer for research and patient care.
DriverLab: Imagine a driving simulator so advanced it can replicate any road condition, helping researchers develop safer vehicles and better driver assessments. With robust eye-tracking technology, DriverLab is shaping the future of road safety.
CareLab: This simulated hospital room is where researchers test ways to reduce caregiver and patient injuries, improve outcomes, and even fight infection transmission. It’s a proving ground for ideas that could redefine patient care.
HomeLab: Here, the focus is on helping people age in place and live independently. Researchers test products and environments designed to make daily life safer and more accessible for everyone.
RampLab: Slips and falls are a major concern, especially for older adults. RampLab rigorously tests footwear and surfaces to find solutions that keep people on their feet.

We didn’t get to see StreetLab this time, but it’s another highlight-a fully immersive environment where scientists study how sensory, motor, and cognitive challenges affect daily activities in realistic indoor and outdoor settings.

One of KITE’s most public-facing successes is WinterLab and its RateMyTreads.com project. Here, boots and safety footwear are put through their paces on simulated ice and snow, with the findings shared widely – including on CBC’s Marketplace. It’s research that doesn’t just sit on a shelf; it helps Canadians make safer choices every winter. I shared this information on a 2021 episode of The Oldish after I watched the Marketplace episode and bought the boots.

KITE’s story is one of relentless curiosity and collaboration. As Dr. Geoff Fernie, a driving force behind KITE’s rise, puts it: “Our research has always been not just understanding what’s going on…but simultaneously looking at what we can do about it. Are we going to change the way we do therapies? Do we have a new product? An improved way to make an artificial limb? Or can we change policies, regulations, codes?”

That spirit of making a real-world difference is what sets KITE apart. Whether it’s changing building codes, creating new medical devices, or simply making life safer and more independent for millions, KITE is where innovation takes flight-and where the future of rehabilitation is being built, one breakthrough at a time.