Korean startups engage in growing barrier-free kiosk market

A researcher demonstrates an interactive medical sign language service kiosk designed for individuals with hearing impairments. (ETRI)

Small businesses and startups in South Korea are tapping into the growing barrier-free kiosk market, with the installation of the kiosks designed to be accessible to elderly users and individuals with disabilities becoming mandatory starting January 28, 2025.

According to industry sources on Wednesday, fintech company Hecto Financial has recently partnered with Samsung Electronics Co. to develop and distribute accessible kiosks.

Since August, Hecto Financial has been equipping Samsung-manufactured kiosks with its own tactile keypads and other features, targeting this expanding market.

Startup DOT Inc. has also introduced a kiosk tailored for visually impaired users.

The DOT Pad, featuring a 300-cell (2,400-pin) tactile display, is the world’s first kiosk capable of rendering images for visually impaired users in a tactile format.

Maum.AI has also launched Maum-Touch, a kiosk equipped with patented automatic height adjustment technology.

Certified with KC standards, it allows wheelchair users and children to adjust the interface to their eye level and includes 13 accessibility features for socially disadvantaged groups.

However, awareness of the government’s financial support for installing these kiosks remains low.

While the government covers 70–80 percent of the installation costs, many small business owners are unaware of the program.

“Barrier-free kiosks are more expensive than standard ones, and most small business owners aren’t even aware of the January mandate,” said Park Ho-jin, CEO of the Korea Franchise Association.