Medical device companies gather for KIMES2026

Integrated platform competition intensifies

Changes to AI incorporation…shifts are observed primarily around hospitals

'AI·platform' is the key feature at every booth…emerged as the major keyword

Moved beyond hardware to hospital operation…'data competition' intensifies

A four-day Korea International Medical & Hospital Equipment Show (KIMES) 2026 takes off on March 19

At the medical device exhibition, the primary topic has emerged from the 'whether to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI)' to the question of 'how to implement it.'

At 'KIMES 2026,' which opened on the 19th, a clear shift in hospital views toward AI acceptance was observed, signaling a rapid migration of the industry's competitive axis.

KIMES, celebrating its 41st anniversary, is South Korea's largest medical device exhibition, reflecting global healthcare trends and encompassing the entire industrial ecosystem. This year's event featured 1,490 manufacturers from 41 countries, including 846 domestic and 644 international companies.

In this exhibition, major players in ultrasound, diagnostic imaging, endoscopy, and patient monitoring moved beyond standalone hardware to showcase integrated solutions linking diagnosis, treatment, and management. Notably, a 'platform war' is intensifying, with AI serving as the nexus connecting medical data and clinical workflows.

Beyond hardware to 'platform' competition…AI-Driven industrial restructuring

First, global medical device companies presented 'Life-cycle Patient Management' as their core strategy this year.

GE HealthCare Korea emphasized a structural continuum from diagnosis to treatment and monitoring by unveiling integrated solutions that combine ultrasound, MRI, and patient monitoring technologies. By presenting ultrasound for quantitative fatty liver analysis, AI-based MRI image reconstruction, and pain-response monitoring during surgery, the company showcased its direction toward data-driven precision medicine.

Samsung Medison also placed its platform strategy at the forefront by revealing its next-generation ultrasound brand, 'One Platform.' This structure ensures consistency across the entire examination process through a unified User Interface (UI) and automated features through AI to enhance diagnostic efficiency.

These industry leaders are moving past performance competition of individual devices to engage in a full-scale platform battle, one that connects diverse medical data points to facilitate clinical decision-making.

The direction of change was also distinct in the diagnostic imaging sector. While the transition from film-based X-rays to digital detectors is complete, advanced equipment such as CT and CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) is now becoming the standard for medical institutions.

Specifically in dentistry, CBCT has effectively become the standard, making 3D-based diagnostics a common practice.

Furthermore, the utility of portable X-rays and C-arm systems is expanding into operating rooms and emergency sites, evolving from simple diagnostic tools into procedural support equipment.

The most notable change is the improvement in diagnostic efficiency enabled by AI.

In the MRI field, there is a clear trend of using AI-based image reconstruction technology to shorten scan times. This is considered a critical factor that not only reduces patient wait times but also increases the number of scans, thereby directly impacting hospital operational efficiency and profitability.

An official from SG HealthCare stated, "Reducing MRI scan times is more than just a convenience. It is directly linked to hospital operational efficiency," and "With the introduction of AI, demand for simultaneously improving scan speed and quality is rising rapidly."

(Clockwise from top left) Booths of GE HealthCare, Samsung Medison, SG HealthCare, and Waycen

​"The necessity of AI adoption has grown"…a shift in field

The most significant change from this exhibition is the shift in how hospitals perceive medical AI. Industry representatives on-site unanimously noted that the nature of visitor inquiries has changed.

In the past, questions primarily focused on hardware specifications or pricing. This year, however, there was a surge in inquiries regarding "whether AI features are applied," "where they are used in practice," and "what effects are observed."

Analysis suggests that interest in AI has moved beyond the exploratory phase to the actual implementation review stage. A consensus on the necessity of AI adoption is spreading quickly, particularly among large-scale tertiary hospitals.

Questions were raised regarding actual use cases and efficacy in various fields, including AI endoscopy, patient monitoring, and clinical support software, shifting the focus from technical validation to 'practical utility.'

However, the market is still in its early stages, with variations in adoption rates among institutions. While some hospitals show aggressive intent to adopt, many others maintain a cautious approach, weighing costs against clinical utility.

An official from an AI firm at the site commented, "The necessity for AI is becoming clear, starting with large hospitals. Once this trend solidifies, it is highly likely to influence small and medium-sized hospitals."

Numerous technologies that incorporate AI, the current industry mainstay, were on display at medical device booths.

Platform competition intensifies…reshaping hospital operations

KIMES 2026 demonstrated that the medical device industry is transitioning from a hardware-centric industry to a 'data-driven platform industry.'

While performance and price were the core competitive factors in the past, ▲the new competitive axes include AI-based automation ▲data integration, workflow optimization ▲ensuring continuity of patient care.

InBody showed a trend of expanding into primary points of contact, such as pharmacies, by combining digital technology with its body composition analysis solutions. They introduced cases in which measurement data is analyzed in real time and results are presented through visualization, a structure that connects simple measurement to consultation and health management.

A view of the InBody booth.

This is evaluated as an example of medical devices evolving beyond diagnostic tools into 'data-driven health management platforms.'

In particular, AI technology has become a key factor influencing not only diagnostic assistance but also the operational efficiency and revenue structures of hospitals and pharmacies.

The industry anticipates that future competition in the medical device market will likely be reorganized around 'platform units' rather than individual equipment.

An industry insider stated, "AI is not just a technology. It is an element that changes how hospitals operate," and concluded, "Corporate competitiveness will be determined by how effectively a company can connect and utilize data."