The robotic system debuted at the World Congress for Hair Research and is pursuing FDA clearance following approval in China.
Puncture Robotic debuted its HAIRO Hair Transplant Robot at the 14th World Congress for Hair Research, presenting a system that integrates artificial intelligence, computer vision, and robotic automation into the hair restoration workflow.
The system has received Class III certification from China’s National Medical Products Administration. It assists with hair assessment, surgical planning, robotic execution, and postoperative management, according to a press release from Puncture Robotic.
Technical Specifications and Accuracy
The system utilizes 20-megapixel binocular cameras and image-processing algorithms to achieve sub-surface positioning accuracy of up to 0.1 millimeters. This precision is intended to support follicular-unit extraction while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.
“I was impressed by the progress robotic hair transplantation technology has made,” says Guanzhou Zhu, founder of DCDC Hair Transplant Hospital in Taiwan, in a release. “The system’s speed, stability, and ability to operate with ultra-fine needles demonstrate its potential to become an effective clinical partner for experienced surgeons.”
A proprietary algorithm allows the system to identify and prioritize multi-hair follicular units while skipping single-hair units. Puncture Robotic reports that the technology can achieve a multi-hair follicular-unit extraction rate of up to 95% and can process up to 2,400 follicles per hour.
Clinical Application and Recovery
The robot is designed to assist physicians with repetitive and precision-intensive stages of surgery, according to Puncture Robotic. This allows surgeons to focus on treatment planning and aesthetic design. The company states the system maintains a follicular-unit damage rate below 7.5% under specified conditions, and its ultra-fine needle system is intended to reduce tissue disruption and bleeding.
Puncture Robotic is also developing a version of the system for long-hair extraction, which would allow for follicular-unit extraction without requiring the patient to shave the donor area.
Following a recent Series B financing round, Puncture Robotic is pursuing regulatory pathways for US Food and Drug Administration clearance and CE certification to support international expansion. Through this technology, the company says it aims to support a data-driven and physician-led approach to hair restoration.
Photo caption: HAIRO Hair Transplant Robot
Photo credit: Puncture Robotic
