Ultiracer: The Smart Indoor Bike That Trains Cognitive Performance and Fitness Together

When most people picture an exercise bike, they imagine a static machine and a screen counting calories. Ultiracer, the smart indoor cycling system developed by RealDesignTech, was designed to change that picture entirely — and that vision recently caught the attention of HealthTechAsia, which sat down with our CEO, John (Joong-Sik) Lee, at GITEX Digi Health & Biotech to explore how the platform trains the body and the brain at the same time (HealthTechAsia).

A smarter indoor bike, built for body and mind

Launched in 2020, just after the peak of the pandemic in South Korea, Ultiracer was born from a simple idea: fitness should make us sharper, not just fitter. RealDesignTech, founded in 2018, engineered a bike that lets riders train their balance in complete privacy. At first glance it resembles a typical gym bike, with a display mounted up front offering ten interactive games — including our flagship title, Perfect Racer. But the resemblance ends there.

The defining feature is movement. The bike tilts left and right while the on-screen rider mirrors every motion in real time, all without any risk of falling. Riders engage their core to keep the bike upright and stay centered on the virtual road, pedaling and steering as they go — and even leaning into on-screen cola bottles for a welcome burst of acceleration. At 150 kg, the system is engineered around brain function alongside cardiovascular and joint health, a combination rarely found in conventional fitness equipment.

That dual focus is the heart of what makes Ultiracer different. The platform trains mind and body together, building concentration, stamina, cognition, balance, and joint protection in a single session. "It feels like racing outdoors, but within the game," Lee told HealthTechAsia. As the system tracks each fluid movement and reflects it on-screen, it creates a continuous feedback loop for the brain — one that gradually sharpens balance, coordination, and cognitive function. Best of all, as Lee put it, "improvements happen almost unconsciously."

The clinical evidence behind the cognitive benefits

This is more than a design philosophy — it is increasingly backed by science. Clinical trials have shown that Ultiracer can improve walking ability in people living with conditions such as dementia and Parkinson's disease. The system has also demonstrated remarkable promise in early detection: using AI algorithms and built-in sensors, it can identify Parkinson's with 86–87% accuracy from just 30 seconds of riding data — findings recently published in the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, one of the field's most respected journals (JNER).

The study set out to identify the biomechanical adaptations in cycling balance control among people with Parkinson's. Using two sensors placed under the seat and frame, researchers found that participants with Parkinson's distributed force more evenly between their upper and lower body — a measurably different approach to balance compared with healthy riders. For us, results like these confirm exactly what we set out to build: a tool that does real clinical good.

Designed for healthy aging — and far beyond

Our guiding mission is simple: no one should have to fear growing older. "Societies around the world are aging rapidly," Lee noted. "Physically, people may grow older, but mentally they can stay sharp with Ultiracer." That conviction shapes our go-to-market focus on seniors, beginning with the United States and followed by Europe. While we are increasingly partnering with healthcare institutions and care centers, our priority remains getting Ultiracer into private homes, where people can take charge of their own well-being. As Lee explained, housing patterns differ by region — apartments across much of Asia, individual homes across the US — but the goal is universal: a future where aging inspires confidence rather than fear. There is a financial dimension too, since healthier, more independent seniors help ease the rising cost of care that society bears.

The appeal, though, reaches well beyond senior care. "Ultiracer is suitable for all ages," Lee clarified. "It's not just about rehabilitation — it also stimulates the brain." That makes it a natural fit for people with ADHD and for students looking to sharpen their focus. In Korea, the system has even found a place in programs supporting recovery from gambling addiction — an unexpected and deeply encouraging use case.

Research momentum continues to build. The University of Birmingham in the UK — ranked among the world's leading institutions for sports and rehabilitation sciences — has adopted Ultiracer for large-scale study. With more than 1,500 researchers and students and world-class facilities, the university is set to deepen our understanding of how the system supports brain health, rehabilitation, and performance optimization.

Global recognition and the road ahead

Interest is not limited to consumers and clinicians; forward-thinking businesses are climbing aboard as well. National Geographic and Kakao, one of Korea's foremost tech companies, have already adopted the system, and in 2024 Ultiracer was showcased at Meta's headquarters — a milestone that reinforced its growing international profile. "Office workers spend so long sitting at their computers," Lee observed. "Just 30 seconds on the Ultiracer can make a difference." That profile is anchored by honors including the CES 2020 Best New Cycling Technology Award in Las Vegas and Triathlete's Best Concept Design Award.

We have no intention of slowing down. Lee recently invented and patented a blockchain-based digital currency designed to partner with healthcare companies and firms such as Amazon, rewarding Ultiracer riders with discounts. Yet for all this innovation, the product's greatest strength remains its simplicity. "Even without any prior experience of riding a bike, anyone can try Ultiracer," Lee said. "That's the main reason it was designed this way — it's truly universal." That accessibility runs through every detail, from games inspired by classics like Space Invaders and Outrun to personalized backgrounds streamed from YouTube — picture cycling through Jeju Island from your living room. Riders can even swap in their own bike to lower the $4,000 one-time price, or pair the system with any screen they already own, right down to the 65-inch LG in the lounge.

Looking ahead, we are targeting an IPO by 2030 or sooner. There may be a few wobbles along the way — but as Ultiracer riders know better than anyone, staying balanced and focused on the road ahead is exactly what we were built to do.