Dongjak-gu, Nationwide First AI Robot to Assist in Care for People with Physical Disabilities

Introduction of 6 Robots Including 5 AI Humanoid Robots 'AlphaMini' and 1 Autonomous Driving Robot 'Cruiser' at Shelter for People with Physical Disabilities -

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Park Il-ha) announced on the 30th that it will establish the nation's first 'AI Shelter for People with Disabilities' utilizing intelligent care robots.

According to the '2023 Registered Disabled Statistics' released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the proportion of registered disabled persons aged 65 and older has steadily increased from 37.1% in 2010 to 53.9% last year, expanding the need for care for elderly disabled individuals.

Accordingly, the district is promoting this project to help alleviate their social isolation and disparities, support leisure activities, and contribute to improving their quality of life.

Earlier this month, the district was selected in the caregiving robot support project contest hosted by the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement, securing approximately 35 million KRW in project funds.

By additionally investing 35 million KRW from the district budget, a total budget of about 70 million KRW will be used to integrate six robots into the local shelter for people with physical disabilities (180 Seongdae-ro), including five AI humanoid robots 'AlphaMini' and one autonomous driving robot 'Cruiser.'

The 'Dongjak-gu Shelter for People with Physical Disabilities' covers an area of 186.3㎡ and was opened in November last year as a leisure activity shelter composed of facilities such as a fitness room and self-help meeting room to promote health and social participation of people with physical disabilities.

Going forward, the district will sign an agreement with the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement to promote the introduction of robots within the shelter and will officially provide services starting in June.

Through various customized services such as emotional support including companionship and singing, guidance, education, and exercise, optimized integrated care will be realized.

The AI humanoid robot 'AlphaMini' is a small-sized robot with a height of 25cm that helps provide emotional support through interactions with users, including companionship, eye contact, voice, and gestures.

The autonomous driving robot 'Cruiser' serves as an assistant staff at the shelter by providing guidance, introducing disability policies, and conducting exercise (gymnastics) and music (dance) programs.

The district operates a total of three shelters tailored to the characteristics of different disability types: the ▲ Shelter for the Visually Impaired (133 Sangdo-ro), ▲ Shelter for the Deaf (14 Manyang-ro 3-gil), and ▲ Shelter for People with Physical Disabilities.

Park Il-ha, Mayor of Dongjak-gu, emphasized, "We will provide care services that monitor the daily lives of people with physical disabilities by establishing the nation's first AI robot shelter for people with disabilities," and added, "We will complete Dongjak-style welfare that encompasses all social classes, not just those with physical disabilities."