SKT, ATX Medical Solutions launch AI vet service in Australia

SK Telecom launched its "X Caliber" AI veterinary medical service in Australia in partnership with local firm ATX Medical Solutions.

ATX Medical Solutions CEO Roger Davis, in the middle, explains SK Telecom's AI veterinary medical service X Caliber to other participants at the Australian Veterinary Association Conference in Melbourne. [SK TELECOM]

SK Telecom, a major Korean mobile carrier, released its AI veterinary medical service known as “X Caliber” in Australia on Wednesday.

It marks the first time the medical service has been launched outside of Korea. The Korean company has been striving to enter the Australian market, which boasts of one of the highest pet ownership rates globally, ever since partnering with ATX Medical Solutions in November. ATX is a major provider of medical services in the country.

About 69 percent of Australian households raise an animal companion, according to 2022 data from the Animal Medicines Australia, which is noticeably higher than the 57 percent in the United States or 40 percent in Britain.

The service will be commercially utilized by 100 veterinary clinics in Australia in the format of cloud software.

SK Telecom and ATX also showcased the service at the annual Australian Veterinary Association Conference, one of the largest gatherings of veterinarians within the country that runs from Monday to Friday this week in Melbourne.

X Caliber is currently utilized by some 300 veterinary clinics in Seoul. The service analyzes dogs and cats’ X-rays within 15 seconds to detect seven musculoskeletal disorders and 10 cardiothoracic symptoms.

SKT also signed a contract to commercialize the service in Indonesia with Medivet Pet Hospital & Clinic, the country's major veterinary hospital chain, the company said on Wednesday.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]