The Era of 'Customized Robots for People with Developmental Disabilities' Nears... Gangneung City Conducts Usability Testing

Distributed to 80 Households of People with Developmental Disabilities
Achieved Over 70% Level in Clinical Research

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gangneung City, Gangwon Province announced on the 8th that it will distribute beta test version robots for expanding customized content suitable for people with developmental disabilities to 80 households of people with developmental disabilities starting from the 13th.

Beta test version AI robot for expanding customized content suitable for people with developmental disabilities
Photo by Gangneung City

According to the city, it has been developing customized AI robots using smart technology since 2021 and is conducting clinical research to determine whether they are effective in improving the cognition and behavior of people with developmental disabilities.

The clinical research, which divides 14 people with developmental disabilities who meet the criteria into experimental and control groups, has currently reached over 70% completion.

Along with this, to expand content that has a meaningful impact on learning both in therapy rooms and welfare centers as well as at home, the beta test version robots will be used for two weeks, after which improvements and inconveniences will be collected.

The city plans to produce a finalized version of the customized robot based on the analysis of clinical research results and data collected from the distributed robots, and supply it to the field caring for people with developmental disabilities.

The number of people with developmental disabilities has rapidly increased over the past 10 years, and due to insufficient policy support, the burden of care is entirely placed on the parents.

A city official said, "We will do our best to provide benefits not only to people with developmental disabilities and their families but also to care workers by utilizing AI robots."