[Feature Stock] WSI Prepares Brain Surgery Robot After U.S. Patent for U-BOT... "Robots to Replace Surgeons Within 3 Years"

As Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, predicted that robots will surpass human surgeons within just a few years, WSI is drawing attention. The company plans to launch its gynecological laparoscopic surgery and infusion-assist robot, U-BOT, this year, and subsequently introduce B-BOT and E-BOT for brain surgery, as well as C-BOT for cardiovascular procedures. This news appears to be influencing the company's stock price.

As of 1:52 p.m. on January 13, WSI was trading at 4,385 won, up 4.9% from the previous trading day.

On this day, WSI announced that its subsidiary, EasyMediBot, has completed registration of a U.S. patent for the "fully automated gynecological endoscopic uterine elevator using a catheter control robot" (hereafter referred to as U-BOT). U-BOT is the world's first assistive robot for gynecological laparoscopic surgery that automates the uterine elevation process. The patent includes key technologies such as a joint assembly that enables precise adjustment of the uterine angle through three-axis motion: pitching, yawing, and rolling.

According to the company, it has received a registration decision from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the U-BOT patent. Final registration is scheduled for January 13 local time. A uterine elevator is a medical device used during laparoscopic surgery to securely fix and adjust the position of the uterus.

Han Jeyoon, a researcher at Leading Investment & Securities, commented, "U-BOT, developed by the subsidiary EasyMediBot, is an assistive robot that can be used in surgeries for patients with uterine fibroids," adding, "It is not a product that competes with other surgical robots, but rather a complementary device for which demand could grow rapidly."

EasyMediBot is currently in the process of obtaining product approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and is aiming to complete item approval in the first half of this year. The company also plans to seek CE certification in Europe and FDA approval in the United States to enter those markets.

A WSI representative stated, "After obtaining domestic approval, we will begin full-scale exports focusing on the European and U.S. markets in the second half of the year."

Previously, CEO Elon Musk appeared on a podcast hosted by American entrepreneur Peter Diamandis and shared his views on the future of healthcare. Musk argued that, given the rapid development of humanoid robots, "going to medical school is no longer a rational choice." He predicted that robots will surpass human surgeons within just a few years.

As the background for this change, Musk cited the acceleration of technological advancement. He explained, "The performance of artificial intelligence (AI) software, semiconductor computing power, and electro-mechanical precision are all growing exponentially. On top of this, if robots produce other robots and share learning outcomes, the pace of progress will accelerate even further."