Robotics, AI innovations put elderly care on fast track

Community leverage

As key hubs for elderly care services, communities are becoming important areas for the deployment of AI-powered robots.

The Silver Age Technology Experience Center, located in Longgang community in Haidian's Dongsheng town, has become a model of community elderly care robot applications. The center has a dual track record of technological experience and elderly dining assistance, covering over 6,000 people in more than a dozen neighborhoods.

Upon entering the center, visitors can experience over 10 types of age-friendly smart devices, including exoskeleton robots, cloud doctor facial diagnosis, rehabilitation robots and smart sleeping beds. The exoskeleton robots, a terahertz microcirculation energy cabin and fascia massage devices are the most popular products with the elderly.

Liu Fang, a 67-year-old resident, said she had more waist mobility after using a fascia massager, and would like to check out some of the other devices.

Miao Fanghe, director of the center, said they regularly conduct smart device training, organize free clinics and health lectures, and offer targeted functional yoga courses to help the elderly improve joint and muscle degeneration issues.

The center has also introduced the innovative concept of "a living manual" to help elderly visitors use smart devices.

"It's not about explaining technical steps; it's about helping these people gradually achieve functional restoration of their bodies in familiar community settings through personalized guidance that matches their health conditions and learning abilities," Miao said.

At the Elderly Service Center located in Shenzhen's Xiangmihu community, room-patrolling robots and companion robots have joined the service.

Zhao Haiyang, director of the center, said the demand for service robots at large elderly care institutions continues to grow, as they can help medical staff conduct checkups, keep records and provide feedback.

In addition, these robots can serve as entertainers, playing music or telling jokes following just a voice command. "With the introduction of standards for elderly care robots, we believe more safe and reliable products will enter community elderly care institutions," Zhao said.