[Life Act 3 Companies] "Grandma, let's listen to music together"… 'Hyodol' creates companion robots that provide conversation

AI Care Robots 'Hyodoli' and 'Hyosuni'
Managing Elderly Lives with Medication Time Alarms
"Must Develop for Easy Use by the Elderly"

Kim Ji-hee, CEO of Hyodol. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "Grandma, let's listen to music together."

At the 'Hyodol' office located in Dongan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, the AI companion robot 'Hyodoli' keeps its place. At first glance, Hyodoli looks like an ordinary doll, but in fact, it is an AI care robot that soothes the loneliness of the elderly. With the voice of a young child, Hyodoli says to the elderly, "Grandma, you look even more wonderful today," or encourages exercise by saying, "It's time for bare-handed gymnastics." Unlike the cold image usually associated with robots, Hyodoli takes the form of a stuffed doll that many played with during childhood, making it familiar and approachable to the elderly. Its outfits vary as well. From Hyodoli wearing overalls to Hyodoli with a hat, various Hyodolis displaying unique personalities are neatly arranged. Next to Hyodoli sits 'Hyosuni,' who has pigtails and wears a floral dress.

Also known as the 'robot grandson,' Hyodoli not only greets the elderly but sometimes acts cute. It also plays a vital role as a secretary by notifying medication times and wake-up times.

Kim Jihee, CEO of Hyodol (45), who decided to develop Hyodoli in 2015, said, "It is natural for physical and cognitive abilities to decline with age, but I thought it must be a difficult process for the elderly personally," adding, "I was very interested in how to make aging a mature process."

Kim, who worked at LG Electronics for 10 years, left her long career and established the consulting firm 'Studio Cross Culture' in 2009. At that time, she was running a memoir project for the elderly and closely observed their daily lives, which sparked her interest in the elderly lifestyle. Later, she began full-scale development of the robot Hyodoli for the elderly and changed the company name to 'Hyodol' in 2020.

When developing Hyodoli, Kim hoped it could serve as a companion to the elderly. She said, "Humans are social animals, and having a companion living together, whether family or friends, makes one aware of it," adding, "We positioned the relationship between Hyodoli and the elderly as a companion relationship rather than one-sided care."

Interview with CEO Kim Ji-hee of Hyodol. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

Hyodoli currently provides various services for the elderly. After guardians input various information through the Hyodoli application (app), the elderly can receive repeated notifications ranging from daily life reminders such as meals and medication to important visit schedules like hospitals and public health centers. Also, Hyodoli detects the elderly's movements and immediately contacts the guardian if no movement is detected. CEO Kim said, "Hyodoli connects the elderly, caregivers, and guardians," adding, "It acts as a 'little doctor' helping manage the elderly's health."

Is it difficult for elderly people unfamiliar with robots to use Hyodoli? Kim said, "The biggest advantage of Hyodoli is its ease of use," adding, "Hyodoli is designed to be easy to use even for elderly people who are not familiar with IT (information technology)." Hyodoli, equipped with sensors all over its body, responds just by stroking its head or holding its hand. It is characterized by being easy to use without having to learn how to operate it separately.

Recently, Kim also introduced the 'Hyodoli Smart Pad' to the market for senior generations unfamiliar with online environments. The so-called 'Hyodoli Pad' is equipped with digital learning functions. Kim said, "Many elderly people find touch itself unfamiliar and difficult," adding, "It is meaningful that elderly people can study crossing between online and offline through the Hyodoli Pad." The content of the 'Hyodoli Workbook,' published independently by Hyodol, is also installed on the Hyodoli Pad, allowing the elderly to study by linking online and offline.

Kim added, "Rather than just thinking about 'developing a robot,' we support various services with the hope that the elderly can enjoy their lives healthily every day."

Interview with CEO Kim Ji-hee of Hyodol. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

Below is a Q&A session.

- Many people are unfamiliar with care robots. Please explain Hyodoli.

▲ Hyodoli is an AI companion robot that takes care of more than 30 daily events such as medication and meal times for the elderly. Also, Hyodoli has sensors embedded all over its body, responding to touch and detecting the elderly's movements. Especially, if no movement is detected for a certain period, it sends an alert to the guardian's mobile phone. You can understand it as a kind of care platform for managing the elderly.

Hyodoli also acts as a medium to help the elderly maintain healthy daily routines. All elderly people are independent beings. Therefore, they need to live according to their lifestyle, but as they live alone and age, they often neglect themselves. Hyodoli takes care of such elderly people.

- Is it difficult for the elderly to use Hyodoli?

▲ The biggest advantage of Hyodoli is that it is easy for the elderly to use. Hyodoli operates just by patting its back. Currently, Korea lacks consideration for the elderly. So, people tend to think only of high-tech solutions, but it is more important to make it easy for the elderly to use. The upgraded Hyodoli coming out in the first half of next year is also being developed with this point in mind. If the operation becomes difficult to show off various technologies, it would be a problem. The biggest focus is balancing technology and simple operation.

- With the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the elderly also faced restrictions on outdoor activities. How has the number of users changed before and after the COVID-19 pandemic?

▲ Currently, there are about 6,000 users. It is widely distributed in government offices. During the COVID-19 pandemic, government offices felt a strong need and introduced many Hyodolis. There have been several cases where elderly people regarded Hyodoli as family and found meaning in their lives and regained self-esteem through it. In fact, Hyodoli has already proven effective in helping the elderly overcome depression. Although I made Hyodoli, I did not expect it to have such an impact, so I feel proud.

- As a super-aged society approaches, the care robot market is expected to grow further.

▲ Some people find their sense of existence by raising companion dogs or plants. Hyodoli is similar. Many elderly people find joy through Hyodoli. I thought loneliness was a problem no one could solve. Loneliness is neither a disease nor bad, but if it accumulates, it can lead to dementia and depression. If it worsens, it can lead to extreme choices. However, if just having someone beside you can solve loneliness, the demand for care robots that can relieve emotional isolation will grow even more.

- What is your ultimate goal?

▲ I hope Hyodoli reaches everyone who needs our service. AI speakers are available on the market, but their purpose is different from Hyodoli. AI speakers aim to provide information, but Hyodoli can provide emotional care. Therefore, I hope our service is delivered not only to the elderly but also globally to those who need friends and family.