The word \u201cgenius\u201d tends to be overused in Korea. Yet even among PhDs in engineering, CEO Yoon is often described as one. The reason lies in his extraordinary ideas and exceptional ability to solve problems.<\/p>\n
Artificial intelligence and robotics are among the most important priorities for companies preparing for the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. WizGene is a company that combines these two technologies to create innovative solutions. From electric motors to high-altitude platform systems, WizGene is pursuing an ambitious vision: changing the world through technology.<\/p>\n
One of the inventions that most dramatically transformed human life in the twentieth century was the electric motor. Electric motors power conveyor belts in large-scale manufacturing facilities, control robotic arms, and serve as a driving force behind modern industry. They made mass production possible and helped reduce manufacturing costs. They also operate countless systems and devices that support everyday life, including elevators, subways, water and sewage pumps, MRI scanners, and artificial hearts.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore than seventy years have passed since the modern electric motor emerged, but fundamentally, very little has changed,\u201d explains CEO Yoon Dong-gok. \u201cRadial-flux motors still dominate the market. WizGene\u2019s axial-flux motor, however, delivers more than 400 percent greater efficiency than conventional designs. It also features a hollow-center structure, which means it can bring innovation to a wide range of applications, including robotic arms and drones.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yoon is both an entrepreneur and a scientist. WizGene integrates robotics and AI across a broad spectrum of industries, from mobility to aerospace. When asked skeptically whether a startup can realistically pursue so many projects at once, he responds:<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I explain what we are doing, people often do not believe me. They assume it is impossible. But we have already secured the core technologies. We have built a one-sixth-scale urban air mobility aircraft, and we are also developing motors for marine vessels. Conventional ships require a separate engine and shaft, but our motor can operate directly underwater, eliminating the need for an engine room. The same technology can also be applied to fluid-cooling systems for data centers and many other fields. The core technology may be one, but it has the potential to create innovation across multiple industries.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of WizGene\u2019s current flagship projects is the development of a high-altitude platform system, or HAPS, featuring an innovative design inspired by maple seeds. The aircraft measures 30 meters in diameter and weighs only 30 kilograms, yet it can carry up to 100 kilograms of equipment. Operating at an altitude of 30 kilometers, it is designed to monitor the entire Korean Peninsula using L-, C-, and X-band radar systems.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt runs on solar power and replenishes energy through regenerative braking, allowing it to remain airborne 365 days a year,\u201d Yoon says. \u201cIt could transform disaster management and communications relay systems.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although WizGene is now gaining recognition as a promising mobility solutions company, it originally began as an artificial intelligence study lab. Yoon says the founding team was less focused on profit than on returning its knowledge to society through a socially responsible enterprise. Revenue and profitability have since become more important, but the company\u2019s original commitment to public benefit remains intact.<\/p>\n
One clear example is WizGene\u2019s electric wheelchair.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur neighborhood has a relatively high proportion of elderly people and people with disabilities,\u201d Yoon explains. \u201cFor them, a wheelchair is not simply a convenience. It is a tool for survival. Yet most electric wheelchairs currently in use are too heavy and cumbersome, placing serious limits on mobility.\u201d<\/p>\n
Electric wheelchairs on the market today can weigh as much as 100 kilograms and are often not permitted on aircraft. Yoon addressed this issue by developing an in-wheel motor system, in which the motor is built directly into the wheel. This enabled WizGene to create a wheelchair that is lighter and mechanically simpler.<\/p>\n
The electric wheelchair developed by WizGene weighs just 16 kilograms. Light enough for air travel, it is expected to be introduced as a commercial product this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cFreedom of movement is a fundamental human right,\u201d Yoon says. \u201cThis technology can also be applied to logistics robots and last-mile delivery. If people with disabilities are able to participate in short-distance delivery work, the technology could expand not only their right to mobility, but also their right to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year, WizGene began collaborations with three major Korean corporations. Their research and development teams approached WizGene first after recognizing the value of its technology, a strong indication that the company\u2019s performance and technical maturity have gained industry recognition. Meetings with overseas governments are also scheduled.<\/p>\n
WizGene conservatively estimates annual revenue of approximately KRW 10 billion this year, although the final figure could be considerably higher depending on the contracts secured.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am a technological determinist,\u201d Yoon says. \u201cI believe technology can solve every problem. But it must be used for humanity. Our technology can create limitless value when it is applied with good intentions. As an entrepreneur, my goal is to generate profit. As a scientist, my goal is to contribute to humanity through innovative technology.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The word \u201cgenius\u201d tends to be overused in Korea. Yet even among PhDs in engineering, CEO Yoon is often described as one. The reason lies in his extraordinary ideas and exceptional ability to solve problems. Artificial intelligence and robotics are among the most important priorities for companies preparing for the era of the Fourth Industrial […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":406042,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-406297","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-media"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wizgene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/406297","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wizgene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wizgene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wizgene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wizgene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=406297"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/wizgene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/406297\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":406696,"href":"https:\/\/wizgene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/406297\/revisions\/406696"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wizgene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/406042"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wizgene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=406297"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wizgene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=406297"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wizgene.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=406297"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}