GYEONGGI-DO

A Specialized Electronic Prosthetics Company for Amputees

Grown by Gyeonggi Province, 

Challenging Global Markets in Prosthetics and Robotics

 

 

Q. Please introduce Mand.ro.

 

「There should be no one who cannot use an electronic prosthesis due to lack of money」

 

A. We began our talent donation project for the production of electronic prosthetic hands for individuals with double hand amputations in January 2015. This initiative led to a push for commercialization following a hackathon at the Content Korea Lab Gyeonggi. During the initial commercialization phase, we received support for factory office rentals and prototype production from Gyeonggi Province. Over the past nine years, we have developed and sold a range of lightweight electronic prosthetic products at about one-tenth the cost compared to existing options for various upper limb amputees, and we are exploring entry into international markets. Notably, in January 2024, our ‘robotic finger prosthesis’ product won the ‘Best Innovation Award’ in the accessibility category for people with disabilities at CES 2024. This recognition has sparked interest from companies looking to utilize our products in robotics.

 

Q. What are the features and advantages of Mand.ro products?

 

「’All-in-One Robotic Finger’ Technology Showcases Competitiveness Beyond Prosthetics in Robotics」

 

A. The initial purpose of our robotic finger prosthesis product was to create electronic prosthetic products for individuals with partial hand amputations. Previously, there were only high-priced products available, costing over KRW 10 million for a single finger. However, our robotic finger, the ‘Mark 7D,’ is expected to be priced at around KRW 500,000 per finger, achieving price accessibility at one-twentieth of the cost. In addition, it offers customizable features such as strength, speed, and grip, making it well-suited for the personalized needs of prosthetic users. As a result, we have been able to commercialize low-cost electronic prosthetics using our own technology for approximately 84.2% of individuals with upper limb amputations in South Korea who require partial hand prosthetics. This technology is not only applicable to prosthetics but is also being widely used in the field of robotic hands. Recently, we have been expanding into the areas of robotic grippers and humanoid robots, showcasing examples of our humanoid robots being used as mannequins for fashion brands.

 

Q. What are the plans and future direction for entering overseas markets?

 

「Gradual Expansion into Overseas Markets in Both Robotics and Prosthetics Sectors」

 

A. In the prosthetics sector, we are currently pursuing item-specific approvals for the North American and European markets. Alongside this, we are seeking regional partners to confirm pre-demand for our products and review the functionalities. In the robotics field, the goal is to establish relationships by custom-manufacturing robotic hands for clients with specific usage scenarios.

Currently, we are receiving interest in our robotic hands from universities, research institutes, and businesses in countries beyond South Korea, including Japan, the UAE, Turkey, and the United States, and is working on customized responses to their needs. With rising expectations for humanoid robots, the most highlighted areas in this field are computer vision (AI) and robotic hands. Among these, the robotic hand segment incurs the highest raw material and manufacturing costs, which further emphasizes the value of our ability to produce robotic hands at a lower cost.

 

 

Website: http://mand.ro/