[Edaily Reporter Shin Young-bin] #Angel Robotics is embarking on the development of next-generation medical robot technology that connects brain signals, artificial intelligence (AI), and robots in real time. The core technology involves AI interpreting the brain signals of individuals with quadriplegia to control robotic assistive devices, and then transmitting sensory information detected by the robot back to the user.

Angel Robotics announced on the 12th that it has been selected as the lead institution for the “Development and Commercialization of a Brain-to-Robot Full-Stack System Capable of Motor-Sensory Synchronization” project under the “Inter-Ministerial Advanced Medical Device R&D” initiative led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Simply put, this project aims to develop a system that allows users to control a robot with their thoughts and transmits the sensations felt by the robot back to the user. The goal is to use robotics and AI technology to compensate for the neural connections that are missing in individuals with quadriplegia, where the brain’s commands do not reach the body.

The technology consists of two main components. First, high-resolution brain electrodes implanted in the body read the user’s motor intentions. When the user thinks, “I want to walk” or “I want to reach out,” AI interprets the brain signals and controls the robot to perform walking or manipulation movements accordingly.

The second aspect is sensory feedback. This technology transmits information such as pressure, contact, and position—generated when the robot steps on the ground or grasps an object—back to the user. The goal is to achieve “bidirectional brain-robot interaction” that allows the user to perceive the robot’s movements and contact.

Through this project, Angel Robotics plans to integrate a robot control architecture that mimics the human motor control system with a bidirectional brain-neural interface. The company aims to develop world-class brain-to-robot technology to restore walking and manipulation functions for people with quadriplegia.

The project will run for 6 years and 9 months, from April 1, 2026, to December 31, 2032. The total project budget is 23.547 billion won, of which 20.25 billion won is government funding. Angel Robotics will receive 6.99 billion won in government R&D funding, which amounts to 21.4% of the company’s equity capital. Angel Robotics’ private contribution is 2.33 billion won.

Ten institutions, including the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), the Seoul National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, and the Korea Industrial Technology Testing Institute, are participating in this project with Angel Robotics serving as the lead organization. The Inter-ministerial Medical Device R&D Project Group is the designated managing agency.

Angel Robotics stated, “Through this project, we aim to secure core technology for brain-robot integrated control and contribute to the establishment of regulatory guidelines in the field of implantable medical devices.”