“It's Time for Your Medicine, Elderly”… Mapo-gu Distributes ‘AI Companion Robots’ to 400 Seniors

Seoul's First Distribution of 'Companion Robots' for 400 Elderly with Depression and Cognitive Impairment... Conducted 1.2 Million Conversations, Medication Reminders, Activity Monitoring, and More

An AI companion robot for the elderly in Mapo-gu. The companion robot's exterior design is modeled after Mapo-gu's character, Mapodong, and it is made in the form of a stuffed doll.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Grandma Lee, who lives in Mangwon-dong, Mapo-gu, has increasing worries. Since outdoor activities have decreased due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), her feelings of loneliness and depression have deepened. Her suddenly worsening forgetfulness is also heightening her anxiety about the possibility of dementia.

The United Nations (UN) classifies a society as aging when the elderly population exceeds 7%, an aged society when it exceeds 14%, and a super-aged society when it exceeds 20%.

In 2019, Mapo-gu's elderly population accounted for 14.1% of the total population, entering the aged society category.

Additionally, it was found that 10.16% of the elderly population suffer from dementia.

These elderly issues increase the burden of family caregiving and rapidly raise the social costs associated with care.

Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) announced that it will be the first in Seoul to distribute companion robots equipped with AI (artificial intelligence) functions to 400 elderly residents in the area who have difficulties in daily life due to depression, chronic diseases, and cognitive impairments.

This initiative was selected in June through the ‘2020 Robot Utilization Socially Vulnerable Benefit Support Project’ organized by the Korea Robot Industry Promotion Agency, as part of measures to care for elderly people experiencing social isolation and depression.

The most significant feature of Mapo-gu’s companion robot is its role as a conversational partner for the elderly using AI functions. The technology, incorporating artificial intelligence natural language processing (NLP), enables 1.2 million conversational (emotional dialogue) exchanges.

Other key functions include ▲ dementia prevention content such as survey conversations ▲ personalized services using AI technologies (machine learning, deep learning) like medication reminders, wake-up and bedtime alerts, weather updates ▲ emergency linkage through safety monitoring such as activity detection ▲ notifications about Mapo-gu administration and welfare news.

The companion robot’s exterior design is modeled after Mapo-gu’s character, Mapo-dong-i, and is produced in the form of a stuffed doll.

The district plans to distribute these companion robots starting at the end of December to 400 elderly people or their caregivers who suffer from depression, chronic diseases, dementia, or other cognitive impairments.

Mapo-gu intends not only to distribute the companion robots but also to conduct related empirical research. In collaboration with Gachon University and Incheon Gil Hospital, they will analyze the impact of companion robots on elderly mental health and caregiving personnel through empirical studies for the distribution project, and develop a non-face-to-face care model that can respond to elderly crisis situations in the post-COVID-19 era.

Meanwhile, this year, Mapo-gu has expanded the target for the IoT-based safety and health management solution for elderly living alone from 307 to 410 people to prevent solitary deaths among the elderly. They have also introduced the ‘Mapo Check-in Call and Mobile Safety Care Service’ using ICT technology, strengthening social care for vulnerable groups experiencing social isolation and depression.

Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun said, “With the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, not only economic problems but also physical and mental health issues are increasing. We will do our best to operate welfare services to provide stability to the minds and bodies of our residents.”

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