* China has seen a rapid integration in eldercare services of artificial intelligence (AI)and robotics, providing innovative solutions to the challenges posed by an aging population.
According to the latest data, China’s population will reach 310 million people aged 60 and over by 2024. This represents approximately 22 percent of China’s total population.
The International Electrotechnical Commission has recently released a standard for elderly-care robotics. The standard, which was developed by China, sets technical benchmarks for the design, manufacture, testing, and certification of such robots.
SHENYANG (Xinhua), March 14 — In a Shenzhen nursing home, an elderly resident reaches out to grasp the hand of a humanoid robotic with lifelike skin and blinking eyes.
“Can you dance for us?” One senior asks. This prompts smiles from the others. Another resident makes a comment. “I hope they bring us more convenience.”
China has seen a rapid integration in eldercare services of artificial intelligence and robotics. This is offering innovative solutions for the challenges of an aging populace.
According to the latest data, China’s population will reach 310 million people aged 60 and over by 2024. This represents approximately 22 percent of China’s total population.
Recently, the International Electrotechnical Commission released a global standard on elderly-care robotics. The standard, which was developed by China, sets technical benchmarks for the design, manufacture, testing, and certification of such robots.
Once a far-off concept, elderly-care robots are now a reality in China.
“Elderly-care robots represent an untapped market,” Bi Yalei, secretary general of the Shenzhen Robots Association. “With pressing issues in senior care, such as mobility assistance, fall prevention, and rehabilitation support, many companies in Shenzhen are actively investing in this sector due to strong demand.”
Although older-care robots have only just begun, compared to industrial robotics, some users are already experiencing the convenience that they offer.
Robots are now a part of everyday life at Shenzhen Nursing Home. They play chess with the seniors, offer AI-assisted therapy for moxibustion, and provide enhanced mobility assistance.
“We place great emphasis on the application of technology in eldercare,” Li Xipo said, the director of the nursing facility. “By integrating AI robots, rehabilitation robots, and robotic pets, we aim to improve seniors’ quality of life while creating a testing ground for industry innovation.”
Kenqing Technology of Shenzhen, a robotics company, caused a stir online during this year’s spring festival when its exoskeletons robots helped elderly users climb Taishan Mountain, which is one of China’s most iconic mountains. Yu Yunbo is the general manager of Kenqing Technology. “China’s silver economy is vast, yet the market lacks high-quality eldercare products.”
Robotic solutions are transforming eldercare in China. He said that in Shenyang, the capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province a stroke survivor named Zhang, 70, was able to walk again using an exoskeleton developed by SIASUN robot and automation Co., Ltd.
In southwest China’s Chengdu the Pacific Care Home introduced a companion robotic named “Yang Yang,” that wakes up residents every morning, gives weather updates, and reminds people of their daily routines.
The market is set to receive more humanoid elderly care robots like “Yang Yang,” . The Chengdu Humanoid Robot Innovation Center will launch a lightweight robot in June that is designed for family and wellness purposes.
The robot will be able identify elderly people, bring them medicine, chat with them, and help them shower. Chen Yang, the deputy general manager at the center, said “Robots can bridge eldercare service gaps while fulfilling seniors’ emotional needs,” .
According to industry experts, the rapid growth in the elderly-care robotics sector is due to policy support and advancements in AI technology.
China’s new guidelines on elderly care service reforms call for the advancement of humanoid robotics, brain-computer interactions, and AI technologies in order to enhance senior care. Zhang Yunquan is a researcher with the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
“Future robots will be able to detect emotional fluctuations, predict health risks, and provide proactive care just like an AI companion at home,” Zhang added.
“Eldercare robots will ease home-based care challenges and unlock the potential of the silver economy. Moving forward, we must focus on technological breakthroughs, scenario adaptation, and ecosystem development to propel the industry’s growth,” Zhang said.
Video reporters: Liang Xu, Zhao Yong and Liu Xiaorui; Video editors: Wu Yao, Liu Xiaorui
