Mando Signs Business Agreement with Wonju City to Establish 'K-Quarantine and Diagnostic Industry Ecosystem'

Jonghyun Cho, Senior Vice President of Mando (third from right), and Changmook Won, Mayor of Wonju City (third from left), are posing for a commemorative photo after signing a business agreement at Wonju City Hall. (Photo by Mando)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Mando, a specialized automotive parts company, signed a business agreement with Wonju City at Wonju City Hall on the 13th to promote the development of respiratory-related medical devices as part of creating a ‘K-Quarantine and Diagnostic Industry Ecosystem.’

The signing ceremony was attended by Won Chang-mook, Mayor of Wonju City; Cho Sung-hyun, Senior Vice President of Mando; Choi In-hwan, CEO of Philosis Healthcare; Na Hak-rok, CEO of CU Medical System; Lee Kang-hyun, Dean of Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine; and Baek Jong-su, Director of Wonju Medical Device Techno Valley, among others, to jointly cooperate in establishing the K-Quarantine and Diagnostic Industry Ecosystem.

Mando’s medical device development begins with personal positive airway pressure (PAP) devices. The personal PAP CPAP is used by patients with sleep apnea (commonly known as snoring). This PAP technology can also be utilized to control indoor and outdoor air pressure to prevent virus infiltration indoors. Currently, some COVID-19 screening clinics are using PAP devices. Accordingly, Mando plans to sequentially develop personal PAP devices and building PAP devices to contribute to K-Quarantine and public health.

Mando uses more than 20 million motors annually. The core technology in PAP device design is motor and motor control technology, and Mando possesses proprietary motor design and control technologies. Furthermore, Mando plans to apply PAP devices to quarantine facilities and residential buildings by collaborating with Halla, a construction company of the Halla Group, utilizing advanced automotive safety control technologies, hardware, and software design technologies. Additionally, they are planning to develop a ‘Smart PAP device’ applicable to mobility such as public transportation, passenger cars, and commercial vehicles.

Senior Vice President Cho stated, “Korea still relies heavily on imports for most medical devices,” adding, “To respond to pandemic situations like COVID-19, it is essential to secure autonomous medical technology.”