At the 94th China International Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF) in Beijing on October 21, commercial vehicle maker Foton unveiled two medical vehicles designed to address the challenges of delivering healthcare in rural China. The company, presenting itself as a “mobile medical full-scenario solution provider,” showcased the Auhang H7 custom surgical vehicle and the Auhui mobile medical vehicle, according to PCauto.
Rethinking the medical vehicle
Traditional medical vehicles are often assembled by multiple parties—chassis from one factory, body from another, and equipment from a third—resulting in structural shortcomings. Medical devices are sensitive to vibration, temperature, humidity, and power supply, but the vehicle’s driving stability often fails to meet requirements. After a day on bumpy rural roads, the equipment may not function properly. Operating rooms require a sterile environment, but the air conditioning, laminar flow, and positive pressure systems often lack coordination, failing to maintain the necessary standards.
Foton’s approach is to design the entire vehicle with the medical scenario in mind, integrating the chassis, cabin, and electronic control systems. The Auhang H7 custom surgical vehicle targets a critical pain point: the difficulty of performing interventional procedures in county-level hospitals. Cardiovascular interventions have traditionally relied on catheterization labs and major hospitals, forcing rural patients to travel long distances or delay treatment.
Bringing surgery and diagnostics to the countryside
The Auhang H7 uses ultrasound-guided, radiation-free interventional treatment, which can cover 90% of common cardiovascular diseases without surgery or radiation, bypassing the need for catheterization labs and imaging equipment. The vehicle features a cleanroom-grade cabin meeting Class 10,000 standards, constant temperature and humidity with slight positive pressure, and a floating suspension to isolate vibration—essentially a mobile operating room that can be used immediately upon arrival.
While the Auhang H7 focuses on treatment, the Auhui mobile medical vehicle handles prevention and screening. It can complete routine physical exams, imaging, and specialist consultations in one stop, shifting the burden from patients traveling to hospitals to the healthcare system reaching them. The vehicle uses a full-load-bearing structure and air suspension, with hydraulic leveling and one-touch adjustment to ensure stability during frequent stops. Dual-source oil-electric air conditioning and an optional high-altitude oxygen module allow operation in diverse climates and geographies.
Equipped with AI-assisted analysis and 5G remote systems, the Auhui enables local screening data to be quickly reviewed by higher-level hospitals, forming a closed loop of screening, diagnosis, consultation, and management at the site. This allows patients to receive timely medical advice and treatment.
Foton’s strength lies in its integrated capabilities—chassis technology, body manufacturing, and system integration—which a typical conversion shop may lack. The company has been involved in medical vehicles since 2006, participating in the “mobile hospital” project, and has since produced vaccination vehicles, ophthalmic clinics, mobile CT units, and now custom surgical and mobile medical vehicles. This platform-based customization approach extends Foton’s commercial vehicle expertise into healthcare, aiming to bring quality medical resources to rural areas.
