Gyeonggi-do, Pocheon-si Opens 'AI Sarangbang' in 'AI Senior Care Town'

Learn How to Use Kiosks and Enjoy Dementia Prevention Augmented Reality Sports...
Opening Ceremony Held at Gwanin Small Library in Gwanin-myeon, Pocheon-si
Pilot Project Conducted with Papa Mobility Co., Ltd. Providing Senior Mobility Services in Care Town

On the 3rd, the city of Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, designated as the target site for the ‘AI Senior Care Town Pilot Project,’ opened the ‘AI Sarangbang,’ a digital experience space supporting cognitive enhancement programs and AI dementia diagnosis.

Oh Hu-seok, Deputy Governor for Administration of Gyeonggi Province, attended the 'AI Sarangbang,' a digital experience space supporting cognitive enhancement programs and AI-based dementia diagnosis, in Gwanin-myeon, Pocheon-si on the 3rd, delivering a greeting. Photo by Gyeonggi Province

To strengthen the functions of the Senior Care Town, the province will also pilot a vehicle transportation service for the elderly to hospitals, welfare centers, and other locations starting January next year.

On the same day, the opening ceremony of AI Sarangbang was held at the Pocheon Gwanin Small Library, attended by Oh Hu-seok, Deputy Governor for Administration of Gyeonggi Province, Baek Young-hyun, Mayor of Pocheon, about 100 residents of Gwanin-myeon, and others.

Earlier, in June, the province designated Gwanin-myeon, Pocheon City, as the pilot site for the ‘AI Senior Care Town’ project, providing various services such as AI senior companion service and Always Comfortable AI Care.

Subsequently, on September 12, Pocheon City and KB Kookmin Bank signed a business agreement to create AI Sarangbang by utilizing approximately 99㎡ of space on the second floor of the Gwanin Small Library in Pocheon City. The project cost of 100 million KRW is sponsored by KB Kookmin Bank.

Regarding the facilities, the AI Enjoyment Zone is equipped with multimedia devices and AR (Augmented Reality) sports equipment with motion recognition cameras, step exercise mats, etc., allowing seniors to enjoy indoor play-like activities to prevent dementia and improve cognitive thinking skills. An educational kiosk was installed for seniors who have difficulty with contactless ordering and unmanned payment at restaurants, and a space was created to experience care robots and tablet PCs.

Next to the AI Enjoyment Zone, a Learning Center for digital education and various program activities, as well as a community communication space unmanned caf? called Nanumteo, which all seniors and residents can use together, were newly established.

A dedicated manager resides at AI Sarangbang to operate leisure and physical activity programs for seniors using digital devices, and volunteer groups from local high schools and nearby military units will provide one-on-one digital mentoring for seniors.

The province will also pilot a mobility convenience service in Gwanin-myeon, Pocheon City, for three months starting January next year. The mobility company ‘Papa Mobility Co., Ltd.,’ which supports mobility for those with physical and economic difficulties, will participate.

Seniors in Gwanin-myeon, where there are no medical institutions at all, face difficulties traveling to hospitals and welfare facilities for treatment. Through collaboration between the Gwanin Senior Welfare Center and Papa Mobility Co., Ltd., round-trip transportation for seniors will be supported. The vehicles provided are special vehicles capable of carrying wheelchairs, and dedicated drivers will be hired locally, creating jobs in the community.

Oh Hu-seok, Deputy Governor for Administration of Gyeonggi Province, said, “The AI Senior Care Town is a meaningful project created together by Gyeonggi Province, private companies, and local residents,” adding, “In the rapidly changing digital era, I hope AI Sarangbang becomes a medium for relational care that expands communication between people and generations.”