Vulcan Augmetics

Market position

Vulcan positions itself as an affordable, certified alternative to conventional myoelectric prosthetics, targeting underserved amputee populations in developing markets; investor material cites an estimated 57 million amputees globally, of which over 500,000 are in Vietnam. Its stated pricing of $1,000-$1,200 per below-elbow arm was reported as well below the $5,000-plus industry standard and below the roughly $3,000 price cited for UK-based Open Bionics. The MyoBand sensor technology is described by the company as giving it a distinct position in the myoelectric and bionic arm market.

Differentiators the company claims include sensor placement anywhere on the residual limb without myo-site mapping, one-minute automatic calibration, pre-assembled complete packages for faster socket integration, modular and upgradeable components that lower maintenance cost, low price relative to conventional myoelectric arms, and CE certification as a medical device manufacturer.

Technology

Core technology is surface EMG biosignal sensing: a wearable sensor band using threshold recognition that does not require precise myo-site placement, real-time visualisation of muscle activity for clinical assessment, and one-minute automatic calibration of biosignals and range of motion. Products include a multi-grip myoelectric hand supporting 30+ practical activities with manual grip switching, a digitally calibrated electric elbow, and a quick-swap Push-X module. Manufacturing and design have used 3D printing and injection moulding with open-source design collaboration software. The company describes its prosthetics as AI-powered and is extending its sensor platform into rehabilitation and broader patient-care data applications.

Go-to-market

Vulcan sells through partner clinics and distributors in listed countries while also taking direct enquiries and registrations from amputees via its website, offering demo requests, clinic-focused support, downloadable clinician resources, app-based calibration tools and remote assistance. It has cited partner and programme relationships with institutions including Harvard Business School, Cambridge Judge Business School, UNDP, the NVIDIA Inception Program, raiSE Singapore and APAC Med.

Upper-limb amputees, including transradial and transhumeral cases and patients with short residual limbs, weak signals or bilateral amputation; prosthetic clinics, clinicians and CPOs; and rehabilitation providers. The company focuses on emerging markets and conflict-affected regions where access to advanced prosthetic care is limited, and on returning amputees to employment and independence.

Geography

Headquartered in Singapore with an operating office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The company states presence across 17+ countries, listing Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, India, Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Australia, Colombia, Brazil and Iraq, and has also cited orders from Poland.

History

The company dates its foundation to 2018, starting with a small team of engineers and founders. After roughly three years of research and development it officially launched commercially in October 2020, having fitted nearly 20 amputees across Vietnam by early 2021. In 2021 it launched the Mark 9.7 Flex Hand, its first multi-grip myoelectric hand, followed in 2022 by the lighter Mark 9.9 hand and the MyoBand, its first EMG control solution in a wearable band, trialled with patients in Vietnam. In 2023 it began international expansion, including India, and disclosed seed backing from Quest Ventures. In 2024 it obtained CE certification and expanded to Ukraine, Egypt and Turkey. In 2025 it introduced complete transradial and transhumeral upper-limb packages and began clinical pilots of a smart sensor system for rehabilitation, with a commercial launch of expanded smart sensor solutions planned for 2026.

Risks & controversies

The company operates as a social enterprise serving price-sensitive, largely self-paying patients in emerging markets and conflict-affected countries, which constrains pricing; co-founder Trịnh Khánh Hạ has described personal financial strain and reduced founder salaries during the early startup stage, and an earlier venture she led failed after eight months for lack of capital. Public data on the company is inconsistent: one third-party profile lists a 2017 founding date and a different legal entity than the company's own stated 2018 founding and Singapore registration.