‘AI Dolbom Robot’, Pohang City Supports 200 Units... Serving as Companions and Caregivers for Seniors

Published 25 Apr.2023 19:19(KST)

Updated 07 Aug.2025 14:07(KST)

Pohang City conducted a practical training session for the ‘AI Care Robot Support Project’ on the 25th and plans to provide 200 AI care robots in May.

Pohang City conducted practical training for the 'AI Care Robot Support Project' staff.

The training was held with about 60 dedicated social workers and life support workers from seven elderly customized care service agencies in attendance. It included guidance on the AI care robot support project, device usage, and management system education.

The support targets are 200 vulnerable elderly living alone households, including basic livelihood security recipients and lower-income groups among the elderly customized care service recipients. From selecting the beneficiaries to distributing and managing the devices, 160 life support workers for elderly living alone will be in charge, which is expected to greatly help emotional support and safety management for the seniors.

The care robots being distributed this time are equipped with various functions. As an emotional support feature, the robot greets the elderly when they return from going out and responds with various pre-programmed reactions when their head, ears, or hands are touched. It can play various songs according to the elderly’s preferences and also provide fun quizzes to help prevent dementia.

Additionally, it has life management functions that notify medication times, meals, hospital appointments, and other schedules. If a life support worker or guardian sets alarms through the care robot management app, the robot alerts the elderly at the designated times.

For safety management, sensors detect the elderly’s movements, and if there is no movement for a certain period, an alarm is sent to the guardian. In case of an emergency, pressing the robot’s hand for 3 seconds connects an emergency call to the guardian.

Pohang City plans to complete the installation of 200 care robots by May and will conduct pre- and post-depression scale tests and project effectiveness evaluations to decide whether to expand the project next year.

Choi Myunghwan, Director of the Welfare Bureau, said, “We expect this AI care robot support project to play a significant role in eliminating blind spots in care and preventing solitary deaths,” adding, “We will strive to build a detailed smart care system to enhance the emotional stability and quality of life of the elderly.”