Establishment of AI Experience Zone at Yongsan-gu Dementia Safety Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yongsan-gu (Mayor Seongjanghyun) has created an ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI) Experience Zone’ within the Dementia Relief Center in collaboration with KT (CEO Koo Hyun-mo) as part of the senior information and communication technology (ICT) platform development project.

This initiative aims to enhance the cognitive and emotional functions of elderly dementia patients by utilizing ICT and AI.

The Experience Zone is located in the Dementia Family Healing Cafe on the second basement floor of the district office building, a space newly established through remodeling of the center last year.

Elderly users of the center and their families can enjoy various services here, including ▲ AI experiences through GiGA Genie ▲ augmented reality (AR) cognitive training ▲ virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation training ▲ kiosk (unmanned ordering machine) and robot doll experiences.

GiGA Genie is an AI speaker developed by KT, equipped with functions such as music listening, emotional conversations, daily information, alarms, karaoke, and shopping. It can also operate TVs, lights, and robot vacuum cleaners with simple commands. It is expected to help improve the orientation ability (the ability to correctly recognize time, place, situation, or environment) of elderly dementia patients.

The kiosk is a device prepared to allow elderly users to order food directly or use services such as hospitals and movie theaters. It features a ‘multi-touch’ function that enables screen zooming in and out, and users can take their own photos and send them via email.

The robot doll ‘Hyodoli’ and AI robot ‘Alpha Mini’ also attract attention. They showcase everything from simple conversations to medication and meal alarms, as well as various playful acts, making them the most popular attractions in the Experience Zone. The robot doll is also known to be effective in improving depression among elderly dementia patients.

The Experience Zone is also equipped with a hygiene sterilization lamp, allowing elderly users to use the facility with peace of mind.

In the AI Experience Zone, the district operates an ‘AI class’ for elderly dementia patients. The ICT cognitive program linked with KT IT Supporters’ ‘Smart Brain Vitality Education’ is structured as an eight-session course and will be conducted over three rounds.

Detailed courses include ▲ augmented reality experience ▲ Ozobot coding ▲ hologram coding play ▲ sticker coding. Considering the COVID-19 situation, the district plans to announce the class schedule later.

Additionally, in preparation for the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the district will implement an ‘AI care service (Smart Care)’ for 100 households of elderly dementia patients.

Volunteers (50+ Health Coordinators) dispatched from the Seoul City Central 50 Plus Center will visit 50 households equipped with GiGA Genie, providing regular guidance on how to use GiGA Genie and dementia prevention education.

For 50 households of elderly dementia patients living alone, KT’s 114 welfare check service will be operated. By monitoring call history of wired and wireless phones, the daily well-being of elderly patients can be checked, which is expected to greatly contribute to preventing solitary deaths and safety accidents among elderly dementia patients.

Seongjanghyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “Due to COVID-19, most programs at the Dementia Relief Center have been suspended since March,” adding, “We will focus on non-face-to-face services for the time being and will fully operate the AI Experience Zone and educational programs once the situation improves.”

KT, which led this project together with the district, is a leading company in dementia overcoming and has partnered with the Central Dementia Center under the Ministry of Health and Welfare to support KT IT Supporters’ Smart Brain Vitality Education for elderly dementia patients at dementia relief centers nationwide as part of a public dementia awareness improvement campaign.

On the 20th, Lee Seon-joo, Head of KT’s Sustainable Management Division, who visited the district’s Dementia Relief Center, said, “KT hopes to make the lives of elderly dementia patients more comfortable and safe through warm technology,” emphasizing, “We will take the lead in dementia prevention to improve the quality of life for the elderly and address social issues in an aging society.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.