ITcen announced on the 25th that Light Weight, a motor resistance-based digital fitness solution company, was selected for the 'TIPS' program, a technology startup support program hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.
TIPS is a private investment-led technology startup support program that discovers and fosters promising technology startups of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. Selected companies will be provided with up to 700 million won in research and development (R&D) funds over two years.
Lightweight, the first company recommended by ITcen as a TIPS operator, is a start-up company founded mainly by graduates of Ajou University's Department of Electronic Engineering. It is developing a modular digital fitness machine equipped with a data-based customized fitness solution so that scientific training methods used only by some sports players can be easily used by general gym users.
Lightweight's modular digital fitness machine is a solution designed to improve the existing pin-rod (weight) devices' inaccurate weight adjustment method and the exercise data that is discarded if the user does not record it themselves. Weight can be set in 1kg units. In addition to the amount of exercise, data such as range of motion and exercise speed are recorded and provided as a report, including exercise accuracy. The measured exercise performance ability can be analyzed by artificial intelligence (AI) and even coached with a customized exercise program.
Lightweight aims to solve the problem of insufficient domestic rehabilitation infrastructure by combining AI technology with its modular digital fitness machine and applying it to the rehabilitation market through this TIPS project. The company also plans to use this TIPS project selection as a springboard for global expansion.
“With our selection as a TIPS business, we will be able to spur the development of innovative technologies and expand our business areas from the fitness field to rehabilitation,” said Seunghyun Lee, CEO of Lightweight. “We will combine our self-developed lightweight motor control technology with AI-based rehabilitation technology to launch a solution specialized in rehabilitation within two years and advance into the global market.”
“Lightweight will present a new paradigm in the rehabilitation and fitness market with innovative technology,” said ITcen CEO Kang Jin-mo. “ITcen will actively support Lightweight’s growth and entry into the global market.”
Meanwhile, total IT service group ITCEN was newly selected as a TIPS operator this year and is supporting the discovery and growth of promising startups with technological prowess.
