O Yu-kyung, Head of MFDS, Visits Autonomous Wheelchair Research Site... "Support for Rapid Product Commercialization"

On the 20th, Oh Yu-kyung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, visited the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Institute of the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, on the occasion of the Day of Persons with Disabilities. She observed the demonstration, testing, and research site of autonomous electric wheelchairs, which are expected to bring innovation in guaranteeing mobility rights for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

O Yu-gyeong, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, is riding an autonomous electric wheelchair.
[Photo by Ministry of Food and Drug Safety]

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This visit was arranged to listen to the voices from the industrial field developing autonomous wheelchairs and to explore support measures necessary for the development of digital-based innovative products such as artificial intelligence, LiDAR (a technology using laser signals to recognize surrounding objects, a core technology for autonomous driving), radar, and robots.

Commissioner Oh stated, "Active government support is essential for the rapid market entry of autonomous electric wheelchairs integrated with artificial intelligence technology," emphasizing, "The government and private sector must work together to secure a leading position in the autonomous wheelchair medical device market and establish a foundation to lead international regulations."

She added, "Based on scientific knowledge and expertise, we will ensure the safety of medical devices using innovative technologies while swiftly resolving various issues faced by companies in the field through regulatory innovation," and "We will actively support rapid product commercialization to improve the quality of life for the elderly and persons with disabilities."

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