MetaLabs Partners to Develop Automated Hair Transplant Robot
The HAIRO system utilizes robotic arms to achieve 95% extraction accuracy, with expansion planned for the South Korean market.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Robotics
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MetaLabs has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Puncture Robotic to develop and commercialize the HAIRO robot, a system designed to perform hair follicle extraction. The system has already received Class III medical device approval from the China National Medical Products Administration.
Why it matters
This partnership accelerates MetaLabs entry into the Physical AI sector by replacing manual surgical tasks with automated systems. The move seeks to standardize hair transplant procedures globally while increasing operational efficiency in medical clinics.
The HAIRO robot utilizes video recognition technology paired with a robotic arm to achieve an extraction accuracy rate of 95% at 0.01mm precision. These figures represent the verified performance metrics currently authorized by the China National Medical Products Administration.
The players
MetaLabs
A technology firm expanding its healthcare business into the Physical AI sector.
Puncture Robotic
A China-based robotics firm specializing in medical-grade automated surgical systems.
MetaCare
A KOSPI-listed subsidiary of MetaLabs focused on managing medical device registration and distribution.
MomoLabs
A MetaLabs subsidiary responsible for integrating robotic systems into hospital surgical models.
The details
The HAIRO system automates hair follicle extraction through a combination of computer vision and mechanical actuation. The video recognition system identifies individual donor follicles, which the robotic arm then isolates and extracts at high precision. MomoLabs, a subsidiary of MetaLabs, is developing a clinical model to standardize these surgical workflows across partner medical institutions.
Timeline
October 15, 2026: MetaLabs and Puncture Robotic signed a memorandum of understanding to commercialize the technology.
The Tech Race
The development follows a broader industry trend of integrating autonomous robotics into high-precision medical procedures. MetaLabs is currently positioning its subsidiary models to compete in the global hair restoration market by securing intellectual property in robotic follicle extraction.
MetaCare will manage the registration and distribution of the HAIRO system in South Korea, though availability in other regions depends on pending international certifications. Patients in target markets like Turkey and the Middle East may eventually see this technology in clinics as MetaLabs expands its hospital-based robotic model.
The takeaway
MetaLabs aims to scale its robot-based hospital model internationally, pending CE MDR and FDA certifications. Observers should track these pending regulatory filings to determine the speed of the company's expansion into the Turkish and Middle Eastern markets.
Further reading
For more on the development of automated medical systems, visit the Robotics section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 조선일보.
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