[Dongguk University Campus Town X IT Donga] Since 2022, Dongguk University has participated in the Seoul Campus Town project, creating a startup ecosystem in the northwest urban area. By supporting deep tech and cultural content startups, it was selected as an excellent case of startup nurturing for two consecutive years and received an A+ grade in the 2024 Seoul Campus Town performance evaluation. IT Donga introduces promising startups developing alongside Dongguk University Campus Town.


While often taken for granted, everyday actions like walking, running, and climbing stairs can be significant challenges for some. For the elderly or those with musculoskeletal disorders, exercise is a necessary yet daunting and difficult task. Exercising alone is tough, and consistently seeking help from a professional trainer is not always feasible.

‘Unyakgeundap Allfit (CEO Kim Nam-jung)’ is a startup developing an AI-based rehabilitation exercise solution for these health-disadvantaged individuals. Under the slogan "Exercise is medicine, strength is the answer," they are developing the 'Raycle,' a robotic health bike product that provides easy and safe AI-based customized rehabilitation exercises. CEO Kim Nam-jung, who has been commercializing this based on 15 years of experience and know-how as a rehabilitation exercise trainer, was interviewed.

- It is heard that you transitioned from a rehabilitation exercise trainer to an entrepreneur. What led you to decide to start a business?

: I was actually a rehabilitation trainer by profession. However, during my military service, I slipped while clearing snow and developed a herniated disc. After experiencing rehabilitation exercises post-surgery, I wanted to help others. I was originally in the e-business department but transferred to the exercise rehabilitation department.

Subsequently, I worked as a rehabilitation exercise instructor for 15 years in public institutions and hospitals in Seocho-gu, Dongjak-gu, and Gangnam-gu, Seoul. I was also interested in IT, so I participated in developing VR exercise systems and exercise analysis camera modules in 2016, continuously thinking about the convergence of IT and rehabilitation exercise.

The decisive factor was the COVID-19 pandemic. It became difficult to meet members as center operations became challenging. Healthy individuals could refer to Zoom or YouTube for exercise, but the elderly or those with musculoskeletal disorders had no exercises they could do alone. There was no way to provide a service where someone could check and guide them. From then on, I decided to develop a service for these individuals and started developing Raycle in 2021.

- What did you focus on while developing the Raycle exercise service?

: Three core goals were set. The first is easy and safe equipment operation. Since it is used by those with physical discomfort, it must be easy and safe to use. The second is maximizing exercise and rehabilitation effects. The third is minimizing the proportion of auxiliary personnel. It was planned to help those exercising alone.

Raycle has a simple boarding structure like a massage chair. Existing exercise equipment requires adjusting the chair height or learning how to use it, but with our product, sitting in the chair, fixing the feet on the pedals, and wearing the belt completes the boarding preparation. Then, the backrest reclines, and the crank body automatically rises to match the knee position. Afterward, pushing the pedals starts the exercise, automatically adjusting to the joint range.


- There have been exercise machines used while lying down before. What sets Raycle apart?

: Existing products were simply gym bicycles laid down. Proper force is applied to pedal when the weight is on the backrest and seat, but exercise effectiveness decreases in a lying position. Therefore, we created a structure where the backrest reclines while the pedals are raised.

Raising the legs creates a comfortable exercise posture that does not burden the spine, similar to placing a pillow under the knees when lying in bed. This comes from experience gained over 15 years as a rehabilitation trainer and analyzing various exercise equipment.

The more important distinction is the asymmetric exercise function. Many fall or get injured due to asymmetry in body function, such as when the right foot extends well but the left does not. Raycle allows separate setting of the rotation range of the left and right pedals. For example, the left pedal can be set to 10 cm and the right to 7 cm, providing customized exercises that match each leg's joint movement range. The robot assists pedal rotation, offering rehabilitation effects that can improve asymmetry.

- How is AI technology applied?

: The core system is called the ‘AI Robot Assistant Trainer.’ Its primary function is analyzing the user's physical condition, and based on this, it automatically performs asymmetry improvement, exercise motion recommendations, and device load adjustments. It also detects when the user's face becomes pale or their condition deteriorates during exercise.

To achieve this, more than eight IoT (Internet of Things) sensors are equipped. In the future, a system will be established to monitor devices installed nationwide online and respond safely remotely using network functions. Users are guaranteed optimal exercise effects and safety, while managers can manage products more efficiently.


- To enhance exercise effects, related content is also necessary. What have you prepared?

: A platform providing customized exercises based on differences in physical function has been developed. It includes a training mode that shows exercise movements and eight types of mini-games that naturally measure and evaluate physical exercise functions. This is used as basic data during exercise, allowing comparison before and after exercise.

Additionally, a function that visualizes exercise data by comparing user data such as muscle strength, muscular endurance, left and right leg length and strength differences, and exercise progress with standard data has been developed.

- Have you verified the actual medical effects?

: In 2024, a performance demonstration study was conducted at the International St. Mary's Hospital. As a result of evaluating lower limb muscle strength asymmetry and joint range of motion improvement, the extension torque ratio decreased by an average of 8.05. Simply put, it means that the force of extending both legs became more balanced when comparing before and after exercise. The positive physical effects on users, namely rehabilitation effects, have been proven.

Prior to that, a service feedback survey was conducted with 150 participants at the Gwangju Life Log Health Management Center from 2022 to 2023, with a satisfaction score of 4.36 out of 5, and 146 participants expressed a desire to rejoin. Many responses indicated that it was easy to use but required significant effort, thus providing high exercise effectiveness. Additionally, it was selected for various government support projects, including the sports re-startup support project, and received many awards.


- There must have been many challenges during the development process. How did you overcome them?

: While I had the capabilities of a rehabilitation trainer or researcher, commercialization was a completely different field. Securing investment and marketing were particularly challenging. Due to the uniqueness of the equipment, there were no products to benchmark, leading to high development costs.

To overcome this, various national policy projects were undertaken, and I attended nearly all the educational programs offered by the Dongguk University Campus Town project. Comprehensive education necessary for startups, including stories from senior entrepreneurs, tax accounting and marketing tips, and AI usage, was available. Many insights were gained through consulting and mentoring services.

Having been in business for about five years, I now know a fair amount, and recently, investment firms have evaluated that seed investment is feasible. Preparations for attracting investment are underway, aiming for commercialization next year.

- What is the current development stage? What are the future plans?

: Since developing the initial prototype in 2021, continuous improvements and tests have been conducted. Currently, the development of a commercial product is underway, with plans to complete development by December this year. From January next year, the product will be promoted through various exhibitions, with an official launch targeted for the first half of the year.

Feedback from the field is continuously gathered through rehabilitation exercise centers to enhance product completeness. Selected for the 2025 government project for startup-centered universities, efforts to develop a commercial prototype are being accelerated.


Our company logo symbolizes a ladder for growth and a rainbow representing diversity. It embodies the meaning of supporting the growth of individuals with various health conditions. Over 15 years in the field, it was evident that everyday activities like walking, running, and lifting objects can be significant barriers for some.

The goal is to continue developing as a healthcare company that protects the health of those around us. Creating an environment where health-disadvantaged individuals can exercise safely, easily, and effectively is our objective. Efforts will be made to enhance the accessibility of rehabilitation exercise through AI and robotic technology, allowing more people to enjoy the benefits of exercise.

IT Donga Reporter Kim Young-woo (pengo@itdonga.com)

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