Ultiracer: Strengthening Body and Brain Through Indoor Cycling
By Shaun Cheon
At RealDesignTech, we are driven by a clear vision: to become the world's number one neuro healthcare company. As highlighted in recent coverage, our indoor cycling-based neuro healthcare device, Ultiracer, is drawing growing attention in both domestic and global markets as a meaningful response to the challenges of an aging society (ZDNet Korea).
Founded in February 2018, RealDesignTech has pursued continuous innovation from day one. Ultiracer grew out of a deeply personal story: our founder developed the concept after rehabilitating through cycling following a traffic accident.
More Than a Workout: Training the Body and Brain Together
Ultiracer is designed to do far more than build fitness. By combining the benefits of outdoor cycling with digital brain training, it helps older adults improve cognitive function and maintain physical conditioning, with a clear focus on strengthening the coordination between brain and body.
Its approach rests on several principles:
- Bilateral movement: Using both legs stimulates the brain's motor cortex while strengthening neural connectivity and coordination.
- Rhythm and repetition: Repeating rhythmic patterns activates the cerebellum and basal ganglia, sharpening motor control and accuracy.
- Multisensory integration: The device blends the tactile feel of the pedals, visual path-tracking, and proprioception - the body's sense of position - to fine-tune balance and movement.
- Muscle coordination: The quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and core work together to improve whole-body stability.
- Cognitive-motor integration: Adjusting speed, avoiding obstacles, and changing direction train cognitive and motor coordination at the same time.
- Neuroplasticity: Cycling-based training promotes neuroplasticity and the formation of new neural connections - an especially effective solution for those who struggle with coordination and balance.
Leading an Emerging Market
Korea's neuro healthcare and virtual-reality fitness equipment market is still in its early stages. As AI technologies such as skeleton-based gait analysis become widespread, technology alone is no longer enough to stand out. RealDesignTech distinguishes itself through a unique combination of hardware and software - holding world-leading technology in the cycling category and ranking among the global top 10 in VR fitness equipment.
From Senior Centers to the World Stage
Ultiracer's primary customers are senior centers and schools dedicated to improving the health of older adults. In Korea alone, that represents a market of more than 69,000 senior centers and 11,500 schools. After reaching KRW 1.1 billion in revenue last year, we are targeting sales of 500 units and roughly KRW 2.5 billion this year.
Our global expansion is well underway. In Japan, pilot units are already installed in public health centers, and next month we will deliver 40 Ultiracers to the University of Birmingham in the UK - a project supported by Korea's Public Procurement Service export-pilot program that we intend to use as a springboard across Europe. We are also in talks on strategic partnerships with leading companies in Indonesia and Dubai.
Our Vision for Well-Aging
Looking ahead, we plan to collaborate with AI partners to develop features that detect users' smiles, measure their happiness, and visualize it as a "well-aging" effect - alongside a growing library of games and challenge programs that will continue to mature our technology. This past June, we secured investment from Magna Investment's impact fund and Sangsang EBIZ's sports fund, giving us a strong foundation for the road ahead.
Aging is a challenge our societies must meet together. Through Ultiracer, RealDesignTech is committed to helping more people enjoy a healthy, active later life - building a future where body and brain grow stronger side by side.