HAIRO Hair Transplant Robot

HAIRO represents China’s first domestically developed hair transplant robot to receive NMPA Class III medical device certification. Launched commercially in March 2025 by Puncture Robotic, the system offers AI-powered follicular unit extraction at a fraction of the cost of imported alternatives.

Product Overview

The HAIRO hair transplant robot addresses the growing demand for automated hair restoration procedures in China. Prior to its approval, the American-made ARTAS system held a global monopoly in robotic hair transplantation since receiving FDA clearance in 2011. HAIRO became the second hair transplant robot approved by any major regulatory agency worldwide, and the first in Asia.

The system targets patients with androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) seeking follicular unit extraction (FUE) procedures. By automating the most technically demanding aspect of hair transplantation—follicle harvesting—HAIRO aims to improve consistency while reducing procedure duration and operator fatigue.

Key Features

AI-Powered Follicle Recognition: The system’s binocular cameras capture 20-megapixel stereoscopic images, enabling AI algorithms to identify individual hair follicles and determine their growth angle in real time. The software prioritizes multi-stranded follicular units, which produce denser results when transplanted.

Ultra-Miniature Extraction Needle: A hollow needle with 0.8-1.0mm diameter creates minimal wound size. Smaller punctures accelerate healing and reduce complications such as folliculitis compared to larger manual punch tools.

Precision Depth Control: The robotic arm maintains 0.05mm depth accuracy, preventing damage to the hair papilla (which would kill the follicle) while ensuring complete extraction. This consistency eliminates the variability inherent in manual FUE procedures.

High Extraction Rate: The system achieves up to 95% multi-follicle extraction rate, compared to approximately 65% for experienced manual surgeons. Higher multi-follicle rates mean fewer grafts needed to achieve the same coverage density.

Technical Specifications

At 0.05 mm depth precision, HAIRO extracts up to 1,800 follicles per hour with a 95% multi-follicle extraction rate across all 20-megapixel binocular camera scans.

Clinical Applications

HAIRO is indicated for follicular unit extraction in patients with androgenetic alopecia. The system automates the donor harvesting phase of hair transplantation, extracting individual follicular units from the back and sides of the scalp for subsequent manual implantation in recipient areas.

Procedure Workflow:

1. A square reference frame is placed on the donor area to define the extraction zone
2. Saline solution is injected to stiffen scalp tissue and separate the epidermis
3. The robot scans and maps all follicles within the defined area
4. AI algorithms plan extraction sequence, prioritizing multi-stranded units
5. Robotic arm executes automated extraction with real-time position adjustment
6. Extracted follicles are collected for manual implantation by surgical team

The system is currently limited to the harvesting phase. Puncture Robotic is developing next-generation capabilities for automated follicle implantation, which would further reduce procedure time and improve consistency.

Regulatory Status

HAIRO’s NMPA approval makes it China’s first domestically certified hair transplant robot and the first such device approved in Asia. The company is pursuing CE marking and FDA 510(k) clearance to enable expansion into Southeast Asian and European markets.

Market Positioning

The ARTAS system was priced between 6-8 million CNY in the Chinese market before HAIRO’s introduction. HAIRO’s pricing at approximately one quarter of this level (estimated 1.5-2 million CNY) makes robotic hair transplantation economically accessible to a broader range of medical institutions.

By mid-2025, approximately 20-30 HAIRO units had been deployed across Chinese healthcare facilities. About 30% of installations are in public hospitals, including Peking University Shougang Hospital, which established China’s first dedicated hair treatment department at a Tier III, Class A hospital. The remainder serve private aesthetic medicine clinics.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does HAIRO compare to ARTAS?

Both systems perform automated follicular unit extraction for hair transplantation. HAIRO offers comparable extraction speed and accuracy at significantly lower equipment cost. Key differences include HAIRO’s 20-megapixel camera system versus ARTAS’s earlier generation imaging, though ARTAS currently offers automated implantation capabilities that HAIRO is still developing.

What is the cost of HAIRO treatment for patients?

Treatment pricing varies by clinic and number of grafts required. The per-follicle cost is typically lower than ARTAS procedures due to the lower equipment investment. Patients should consult directly with certified providers for current pricing.

Can HAIRO work on all hair types?

The system is optimized for Asian hair characteristics. Regulatory approval is currently limited to patients with androgenetic alopecia. Clinical performance may vary for extremely curly hair types, similar to limitations of other robotic FUE systems.

Does HAIRO completely automate hair transplantation?

No. HAIRO automates the follicle extraction (harvesting) phase. The implantation of harvested follicles into recipient areas is still performed manually by surgical technicians. The company is developing automated implantation capabilities for future system generations.