Hyundai Motor Group, South Korea’s largest automaker, is hiring medical robot-related regulation and license experts.

Medical robots are classified as medical devices and require an approval and/or license under relevant regulations for a commercial release. Due to this, many spectators suggest that Hyundai is approaching a step closer to commercializing medical robots.

According to industry sources on Monday, Hyundai Motor Group has initiated recruitment process seeking experts in obtaining and maintaining medical device approvals from authorities at home and abroad, including Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as requirements concerning the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR). The recruitment is being carried out by the group’s Robotics Lab, the group‘s robotics arm.

Hyundai Motor Group’s X-ble MEX is a wearable medical robot for those that have lower muscle reconstruction and joint mobility recovery. Some of the most innovative technologies have been applied to the robot, ranging from modular actuators and human body analysis and simulation to biomimetic gait control.

Industry insiders believe that the official launch of the group’s medical robot is imminent, seeing the group’s latest move as a necessary step for the automaker that lacks experience or specialty in licensing for medical device. To ensure safety before the official launch, the group is conducting various clinical tests, in collaboration with multiple medical institutions, including Asan Medical Center and the National Rehabilitation Center.

Hyundai Motor Group is also eyeing for overseas markets, seeking an FDA approval in the U.S. The group anticipates that its robot business will see a boost upon receiving FDA approval, considering the high demand for wearable medical robots in the U.S. due to a large population of veterans and the elderly there. An FDA approval as a medical device will enable health insurance benefits for buyers of the thousands dollar-robot, potentially accelerating market expansion.

“We are currently in the stage of conducting various robot-related pilot projects, and the official launch will be scheduled later,” said an official from the group.

By Park So-ra and Chang Iou-chung

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