AIRS, a Korean company specializing in AI-driven fracture surgery robot solutions, has secured $3.57 million USD (5 billion KRW) in a Series A funding round. The round was led by L&S Venture Capital, with participation from Reinvestment, ON Venture Investment, SL Investment, and the Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KIBO).

Founded in 2020, AIRS is an innovative enterprise digitizing fracture surgery with its AI-powered robotic solutions. Traditional fracture surgeries, reliant on multiple orthopedic specialists interpreting complex fractures via 2D X-rays, often face errors and excessive radiation exposure. AIRS aims to address these issues with its AI robot technology.

Additionally, AIRS was selected as a participant in the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ “2024 Strategic Technology Deep-tech Challenge Project (DCP)” in the advanced bio sector, securing government funding of $2.57 million USD (3.6 billion KRW). This initiative supports small and medium enterprises in high-risk, high-reward R&D with up to $7.14 million USD (10 billion KRW) in public-private funding, selecting six firms across strategic fields like advanced bio, semiconductors, AI, and secondary batteries.

With this investment and government support, AIRS plans to accelerate technology commercialization and global market expansion. CEO Sang-hyun Jung stated, “This funding and project selection are key milestones recognizing AIRS’ technological prowess and growth potential in pioneering a new paradigm for fracture surgery. We’re building strategic partnerships in Singapore and India and advancing U.S. FDA approval. Our goal is to lead fracture surgery innovation and shape the future of healthcare.”

AIRS’ core solution comprises a surgical robot, navigation system, and fixation pins. The robot, a Stewart platform attached to broken bones, enables medical staff to align bones precisely with minimal effort. The navigation system provides real-time 3D modeling, displaying bone fragment positions, target locations, and movement paths, with automated alignment linked to the robot, reducing radiation use and exposure. The fixation pins, designed for insertion into only one cortical bone layer, minimize risk while offering strong stability.

Named a biohealth standout in the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ DIPS 1000+ Project, AIRS secured domestic medical device approval from Korea’s MFDS and a New Excellent Technology (NET) certification from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in 2023. Recently, it gained separate reimbursement listing from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service. Currently, selected for the Korea Robot Industry Promotion Agency’s service robot pilot, AIRS is supplying its solution to Daegu Medical Center for clinical trials.