Studies have shown significant wait times of one to five years for treatment for individuals with developmental disabilities such as autism, who might be struggling with a high-level of anxiety and sensory challenges. This underscores a critical challenge in the field: a heavy reliance on human resources, which can limit access to timely care for those who need it most.
A South Korean social venture aims to address this challenge with a unique product. Dolbomdream has developed the HUGgy vest, designed to improve the quality of life. The vest utilises Deep Touch Pressure (DTP) to provide the calming effect of a hug for individuals with developmental disabilities. This aims to alleviate stress and anxiety, potentially contributing to a new paradigm in mental healthcare.
The inspiration: Founder’s journey
Raised in an environment where entrepreneurship thrived — his father owned a business — Kim Jihun, Founder and CEO of Dolbomdream, was naturally drawn to starting his own venture.
“During my postgraduate studies at KAIST’s Department of Business and Technology Management, a course on startup convergence introduced me to the concept of social entrepreneurship. This notion deeply resonated with me — the idea of addressing societal issues while maintaining a sustainable business model,” he said.
While volunteering at a welfare centre, he observed the use of weight vests to soothe children with developmental disabilities. Recognising the potential to improve this method, he envisioned an inflatable alternative gentler on growing skeletal systems. “Additionally, witnessing the prolonged wait times for treatment among individuals with developmental disabilities, I saw an opportunity to introduce a technology-driven solution to bridge this gap. Thus, the concept of the HUGgy vest was born,” said Jihun.
How the HUGgy vest works
Dolbomdream specialises in mental healthcare solutions, offering the HUGgy smart care vest to address sensory challenges. Utilising DTP technology, the vest mimics the calming effects of a hug, fostering psychological stability. Equipped with inflatable technology and biometric sensors, the vest can monitor the user’s psychological state.
The HUGgy vest provides a lightweight alternative to traditional weighted vests, enhancing comfort and mobility. It benefits autistic individuals and has potential applications in supporting seniors and sleep disorder patients.
The vest features non-contact biometric sensors for heart rate monitoring, relaying data to caregivers through a dedicated app for real-time analysis.
Dolbomdream is also developing a centralised platform for administrators to oversee multiple users simultaneously.
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“There’s a growing demand for remote healthcare solutions, particularly those catering to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and infants. Our remote biometric monitoring technology, boasting over 95 per cent accuracy in measuring vital signs through Ballistocardiogram (BCG), positions us strategically to address these emerging needs. By leveraging this technology, we aim to expand our offerings beyond developmental disabilities to serve a broader spectrum of healthcare requirements,” shared Jihun.
Navigating revenue models and overcoming challenges
Dolbomdream’s primary revenue streams are derived from the sale and rental of HUGgy vests. The company is considering a subscription mode for its institutional monitoring platform to diversify its revenue streams. The subscription fee is priced at around US$300 per month per user.
Addressing the hurdles encountered during product development, Jihun remarked, “A significant challenge has been the iterative process of refining our product to meet customer demands, particularly as it involved venturing into unfamiliar territory like apparel manufacturing. This journey entailed numerous cycles of trial and error, resulting in considerable time and cost investments. However, the team’s commitment to continuous improvement, coupled with positive feedback on the final product, has validated our efforts and fueled our resolve to overcome challenges.”
Dolbomdream’s funding journey and future plans
In February 2024, Dolbomdream received undisclosed seed funding from Quest Ventures, advancing its goal to become the top mental healthcare provider by 2030. To achieve this, it is focused on developing an integrated management system that harnesses biometric data to enhance treatment outcomes for disabled individuals.
“Unlike conventional healthcare settings reliant on manual records, our platform offers a systematic approach to monitoring and intervention, paving the way for transformative advancements in mental healthcare delivery,” Jihun noted.
Dolbomdream’s HUGgy vest offers a promising solution for improving access to mental healthcare, leveraging technology to bridge the gap in treatment. With a focus on expanding applications and data-driven care, the startup positions itself for a future of positive impact.
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Image credit: Dolbomdream
This article was first published on March 7, 2024
The post ‘HUGgy’ng innovation: Dolbomdream’s tech vest aims to bridge mental healthcare gap appeared first on e27.