CUHK start-ups eye silver economy’s need for ‘wearable robotics’

A couple of health and medical device start-ups that got their start at the Chinese University of Hong Kong are seeking to enter the growing markets for elderly care and rehabilitation by selling their “wearable robotics” technologies.

Established last year, RT HealthTech has developed several soft inflatable joint support products. It plans to start selling them in two months, targeting elderly people with weaker joints and those with minor injuries who want to keep exercising to maintain muscle strength.

They feature a rechargeable battery-powered mobile air-pumping system that can generate adjustable levels of force, said co-founder Raymond Tong Kai-yu in an interview earlier this month.

“The devices can keep knee and elbow joints in position, while providing an extra pair of ‘artificial muscles’ to reduce joint impact during physical activities,” said Tong, a professor and founding chairman of the university’s Department of Biomedical Engineering. “We are addressing the needs of the fast-growing silver economy.”

The proportion of Hong Kong people aged 65 and over was projected to rise to 36 per cent in 2046 from 22.4 per cent in 2023, according to government projections.

RT HealthTech was seeking to sell 1,000 units in the first three months at around HK$1,200 (US$153) each, Tong said. It planned to appoint a separate distributor for mainland China.

A patent was filed on the brace’s design, and manufacturing was handled by Hong Kong-listed medical device maker Vincent Medical Holdings. RT HealthTech was seeking to raise 8 million yuan (US$1.1 million) from potential investors, said CEO Shi Xiangqian.

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