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[Inside K-Healthcare Engine] The Only Korean Producer of Laparoscopic Surgical Robots, “meerecompany”

At the Knowledge Industry Center in Heungdeok IT Valley—located on the border between Suwon and Yongin, Gyeonggi Province—stands the surgical robot manufacturing plant of meerecompany, the developer of South Korea’s first laparoscopic surgical robot. Stepping inside the factory, one is immediately immersed in the process where countless small and large components come together to form a sophisticated medical device.

During a recent visit to the factory, neatly organized parts for surgical robots filled the space in striking order. Two offices are connected to a spacious manufacturing line, creating an energetic atmosphere on site. Here, the three core components of the Revo-i surgical robot—the Master Console, Operation Cart, and Vision Cart—as well as surgical instruments are manufactured.

The manufacturing of surgical robots is so precise and demanding that if even a single component is defective or a mistake occurs during assembly, the entire robot must be rebuilt from the beginning. This level of complexity and precision makes advanced expertise and systematic quality control indispensable in surgical robot manufacturing.

▲ The laparoscopic surgical robot Revo-i being assembled at meerecompany’s manufacturing plant

The surgical robot manufacturing process is divided into five main stages. The first stage involves the receipt and inspection of raw materials. All incoming materials must undergo thorough quality checks based on strict standards, and only those that pass inspection are transferred to the raw material storage area for safe storage.

In the second stage, materials required for manufacturing are released according to the manufacturing plan, marking the start of assembly. The process begins with assembling the frame, which forms the skeleton of the robot, and continues with the assembly of the robotic arms. Following this mechanical assembly, the third stage—electrical assembly—involves systematically wiring and connecting complex electronic parts such as cables and batteries.

Particularly in the clean room, the "hands" of the surgical robot—devices that are inserted into the human body—are manufactured. These surgical instruments, which function as the surgeon’s hands, are equipped with joints like real hands. Employees in full protective clothing perform the work under rigorous hygiene protocols, following strict standards to ensure product safety and cleanliness. Only after passing through all these procedures is the product completed.

▲ An employee at meerecompany inspects a completed product to ensure proper operation 

▲ The laparoscopic surgical robot Revo-i, produced by meerecompany, is manufactured through a five-step process at its manufacturing plant in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.

Jae Seop Yoon, Manufacturing team Manager of the Surgical Robot Division at meerecompany, explained, “The robotic arms on the Operation Cart, which come into direct contact with the human body, are covered in sterilized film before being used in operating rooms. The surgical instruments attached to these arms can be washed, sterilized, and reused up to 10 times.”

The next stage is a system inspection to verify that the completed robot functions properly. These include setup tests, input/output (I/O) tests, functional tests, safety tests, and final inspections. Only products that successfully pass all inspections are packaged and shipped, with customized packaging applied depending on the size and characteristics of each unit.

Yoon emphasized, “Every single component that makes up the robot must be certified. Since these devices are used directly on the human body, quality control and approval procedures are always our top priorities. Without such stringent quality management, the development of surgical robots itself would be impossible.”

Korean article: https://www.etoday.co.kr/news/view/2498209