Neofect and ETRI Succeed in Joint Development of "Remote Wearable Robot Technology"... Targets 30 Trillion Won Market

Healthcare robotics company Neofect has successfully developed remote wearable robot technology in collaboration with the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), and is now seeking to target the related market.

On March 23, Neofect announced that it has jointly developed "remote wearable robot technology" with ETRI. This achievement is the result of the research project "Development of Core Technologies for Ultra-Realistic and Real-Virtual Converged Spatial Interaction," which both parties have been pursuing since January 2024.

This technology features the ability to reflect the movements of a user wearing a wearable robot directly into a virtual space, while also transmitting tactile sensations beyond simple motion. For example, when shaking hands in a virtual space, the user can feel, in real time, the strength and direction of their counterpart's grip.

The user's movements are mirrored by an avatar in the virtual world, and through the wearable device, the user can perceive actual physical force. For instance, when pushing an object in the virtual environment, a sense of resistance is transmitted in reality. In addition, artificial intelligence (AI) tracks and reflects the user's gaze, providing an experience that closely resembles real life.

Remote wearable robot technology has so far been developed primarily by large corporations, defense companies, major research institutes, and universities, but the precise execution of robot movements over long distances has remained a key challenge for commercialization.

The potential application fields are wide-ranging. The technology is expected to be used in a variety of industries, including remote healthcare and rehabilitation, entertainment such as performance and video production, large-scale participatory education, military training, and safety sectors such as firefighting and rescue.

The market's growth potential is also drawing attention. According to related research, the global wearable robot market is projected to grow to about 10 trillion won by 2026, and to approximately 35 trillion won by 2031.

Neofect intends to leverage this technology to secure competitiveness in the remote-controlled wearable robot market. The company plans to strengthen its project order capabilities by focusing on the expansion of its "robotics channel." In addition, it aims to generate new revenue streams by advancing its existing rehabilitative robotic hand technology and expanding into industrial robotic hands.

Recently, Neofect has rapidly broadened its robotics business by acquiring robotic hand application technology that mimics human-like tactile sensations.

A company representative stated, "Wearable robots have become a practical alternative for enhancing quality of life in an aging society, as well as essential equipment for ensuring safety in industrial settings. The remote wearable robot technology has great potential to create high value-added services across a variety of industries."

The representative added, "We are in the process of transferring technology with ETRI to apply it in the healthcare and industrial robot sectors. As a technology company that started as Ulsan Robotics and achieved a technology-based IPO, we will continue to strengthen our global competitiveness."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.