Modern people, regardless of gender or age, use computers and smartphones in one position for long periods of time, so they can become potential victims of turtle neck syndrome, which occurs when several times more load is applied to the neck and shoulders than usual. Although products for those suffering from turtle neck syndrome are springing up, it is true that it is difficult to see significant results compared to the cost and time invested.
Dot Hill began research and development with the belief that it would solve the turtle neck problem experienced by more than 100 million people worldwide every year, and after two years of research and development, it completed the posture correction healthcare robot ‘Dot Stand’.
In addition, through research with the Ergonomics Society and Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, research results such as posture training induction trajectory and speed, and user-customized training algorithm were secured.
We met with Choi Jae-hee, head of Dot Hill’s market group, and heard a first-hand explanation of the healthcare robot Dot Stand.
Q1. About Us
Group Leader Choi Jae-hee: Established in July 2019, Dot Hill’s mission is to provide ‘healthy habits’ through gradual environmental changes by developing healthcare robots that can improve modern people’s diseases that can arise from bad habits or environment in daily life. We are carrying out various research and development activities below.
Recently, the company launched ‘Dot Stand’, a healthcare robot that recognizes the user’s posture and guides it to the correct posture, and is focusing on informing consumers about the product.
Q2. Main target group
Group Leader Choi Jae-hee: People such as office workers and students experience neck and shoulder pain due to using monitors for long periods of time. About 2 million people in Korea receive treatment for cervical disc herniation every year, and more than 66% of the 10 million office workers who use monitors for long periods of time have experience with turtle neck.
Recently, as online education and telecommuting have spread, the penetration rate of PCs has increased in students and home life. As musculoskeletal problems are expected to expand, turtle neck syndrome is one of the diseases of modern people that needs to be solved.
Q3. Features of Dot Stand
Group Leader Choi Jae-hee: Dot Stand V1 is a healthcare robot that solves fixed posture, the root cause of turtle neck. It recognizes posture through a sensor attached to the front, and lifts the monitor to guide the robot to the correct posture. Because it operates at a speed that the user cannot perceive, it is possible to repeatedly receive posture training while using the computer, preventing and improving turtle neck syndrome without investing additional time.
Existing products such as monitor arms and monitor stands are used for space utilization purposes, but the Dot Stand is a healthcare robot that combines patented AI technology and mechanisms to solve fixed posture, which is the root cause of turtle neck, and provide training.
Q4. Overseas market entry strategy
Group Leader Choi Jae-hee: We are in positive discussions with Japanese and German companies regarding exports, and we are in the process of opening a store in Amazon US after receiving an offer from Amazon. In addition, we are looking for local business partners who can distribute and sell our innovative products in the United States, Europe, and Asia. We have promotional materials and overseas marketing staff for export, and are currently in discussions with several overseas companies with the goal of exporting in the second half of this year.
Q5. Achievements to date and future plans
Group Leader Choi Jae-hee: We received investment from EST and Kingo Spring in August last year, and at the end of April this year, we temporarily opened ‘Dot Stand v1’ on our website and smart store, and sales occurred immediately after opening.
We are expanding our sales channels, including entering Hi-Mart offline stores, iMarket online stores, and completing a contract to open Shinsegae Mall at the end of May.
Because the products launched by our company are products that did not exist in the existing market, we focus on making consumers aware of the products, increasing their understanding of the products, and stimulating their desire to purchase. Because it is a startup, brand awareness is low, but we are overcoming difficulties through direct and indirect exposure strategies such as entering offline stores where products can be promoted and experienced, participating in exhibitions, and video promotion.
Q6. Reasons for settling in Pangyo
Group Leader Choi Jae-hee: I think Pangyo has great strengths in networking and information exchange, not only because of its geographical advantage, but also because many companies, from startups to large corporations, are located in one place. She also believes that it is a base where startups can receive help with business operations by providing facilities and additional services that may be lacking, and can greatly help companies grow through various government-supported projects and advice.
Source: Pangyo Techno Valley Official Newsroom
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