Hwaseong City Introduces Two 'Morning Walk' Rehabilitation Robots

Hwaseong Special City (Mayor Jung Myung-geun) has been selected as a final recipient in the 'Second Round of Service Robot Demonstration Project Support' competition hosted by the Korea Robot Industry Promotion Authority, and has introduced a total of two 'Morning Walk' gait rehabilitation robots—one each to two welfare centers in the city.

With the state funding of 350 million won secured through the competition selection, Hwaseong City invested a total project cost of 700 million won, including municipal funds, to install one 'Morning Walk' gait rehabilitation robot each at the Hwaseong Ardim Welfare Center and the Hwaseong Daedan Ardim Welfare Center.

'Morning Walk' is a rehabilitation robot that supports rehabilitation training tailored to physical condition and gait ability. It offers various functions such as adjusting gait stride and speed, enabling more precise rehabilitation services. In particular, it can be applied to various disease groups including cerebral palsy.

The two welfare centers have been continuously expanding their equipment since 2019, when they became the first disability welfare centers nationwide to introduce lower limb rehabilitation robots, adding gait and upper limb rehabilitation robots and home rehabilitation devices.

Additionally, on the 27th, a 'Robotic Race' was held at the gymnasium on the 4th floor of the Hwaseong Daedan Ardim Welfare Center, with a total of 150 participants including athletes and officials from six disability welfare centers in Gyeonggi Province, as well as local residents.

The city plans to broaden opportunities for people with disabilities to utilize cutting-edge technology based on the introduction of rehabilitation robots and participatory events, and to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and robot technology into welfare facilities.

Mayor Jung Myung-geun of Hwaseong Special City stated, "The foundation for people with disabilities to receive rehabilitation training suited to their physical condition at nearby welfare centers has been significantly strengthened," and added, "I will enhance both the accessibility and quality of services so that rehabilitation robots become practical tools that help users recover their daily lives and achieve independence."