Suwon City Launches Internet of Things (IoT)-Based 'Smart Care Plug' Project

Suwon City in Gyeonggi Province will launch the 'Smart Care Plug' project utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) technology starting May 18, in response to the rise in single-person households and the deepening of social isolation.

On May 11, Suwon City signed a business agreement with A9 Co., Ltd., a specialized company providing IoT-based smart care services, at Hongjae Welfare Town.

The Smart Care Plug is a device that connects to plugs of frequently used home appliances (such as TVs and microwaves) to analyze electricity usage and changes in brightness in real time.

If no change in usage is detected within a set period of time, artificial intelligence (AI) will make a welfare check call to the user and send a risk alert text message to the assigned staff member. The staff member then checks on the recipient’s well-being and responds to any emergency situation. This non-face-to-face Smart Care Plug system establishes a constant welfare check framework for individuals at risk of loneliness and isolation, and strengthens the preventive safety net.

Under the agreement, Suwon City is responsible for project operation and managing recipients, while A9 Co., Ltd. supports device supply and operation of the monitoring platform. Suwon City plans to operate a continuous welfare check system in cooperation with local administrative welfare centers.

A Suwon City official stated, "With this agreement and the start of operations, our system for preventing loneliness and isolation in Suwon City will advance to the next level. By combining smart technology with attentive management by staff, we will establish a Suwon-style Smart Care welfare check system."

After the signing ceremony, Suwon City provided prior training to public officials in charge of loneliness and isolation in 44 districts. The city completed project preparations by distributing 200 Smart Care Plugs to each district.