From Care Robots to Healthcare Services:
Experiencing AI Technology in Seniors' Daily Lives with the 'AI Companion Bus'
"How old do you think I look?"
Around 10 a.m. on the 18th at Seodaemun Senior Welfare Center in Cheonyeon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The care robot Riku scanned Kim Yongdeuk (90) with its camera on its forehead and replied, "Age doesn't matter." Kim and those around him burst into laughter. Kim said, "At home, I just sit in front of the computer and get bored, but it's amazing that the robot can talk and move."
Elderly people talking with the care robot 'Riku' and listening to trot songs sung by 'Hyodoli'. Photo by Lee Eunseo
There were special guests at the Seodaemun Senior Welfare Center. The care robots Hyodoli and Riku, along with a Go robot, took center stage in the lobby. Parked at the entrance was the 'Seoul AI Companion Bus,' equipped with machines for vision and dental checkups based on data, as well as a mirror kiosk with brain-training games.
This bus was prepared by the Seoul Digital Foundation to allow seniors to experience AI technology in their daily lives. From April to November this year, the Seoul Digital Foundation is dispatching the Seoul AI Companion Bus to welfare centers and senior centers with a high number of elderly visitors, aiming to bridge the digital divide. On board the Seoul AI Companion Bus, seniors can try out a total of seven AI-based digital devices and robots, including healthcare (eye health, dental care), care robots (for conversation and education), mirror kiosks (for leisure activities), and daily support tools (ChatGPT, Go robot). This provides an opportunity for seniors to experience new AI-powered devices firsthand, rather than the digital devices they are already familiar with, such as smartphones and kiosks.
On this day, seniors asked, "Isn't it difficult?" but showed interest, saying, "Let's see what this AI can do." The most popular attractions among the seniors were the care robots 'Hyodoli' and 'Riku.' They stretched and waved at Riku as it greeted them. Some petted Riku on the head or asked about the weather. When Jeong Buduk (77), who was making eye contact with the robot, confided, "I want to get better at English, but I forget everything as soon as I turn away," Riku advised, "Take a short break, relax your mind, and don't give up." Some seniors hugged Hyodoli and requested, "Hyodoli, sing me a trot song."
The AI healthcare services also proved popular among the seniors. Machines with accumulated medical data checked their dental health and conducted vision tests. Jeong Deokil (80) said, "These days, AI seems to know everything," and added, "It's more convenient than going to an eye clinic." Some seniors even consulted ChatGPT about what to do for back pain.
Some seniors were deeply engaged in playing Omok against the Go robot. Park Younggyu (79) visited the Go robot several times. He said, "The moves come so fast that I couldn't keep up and lost both times," and asked, "I live alone, so I need to keep using my brain to prevent dementia. Is this robot expensive?" Park Myeongil (78), after winning a match, laughed and said, "It knows exactly where I'm going to place my next move." He was also surprised to see the robot organizing the Go stones after the match.
Seniors seemed to be getting closer to AI services that can add some fun to their otherwise lonely daily lives. Kim Bokrye (75) said, "Riku answers all my questions about today's date and weather, and even sings songs I used to listen to a lot in the past, which is the most amazing thing. I live alone and feel lonely, but having one at home would keep me company." Kim Ingi (83) said, "Even though I learn about ChatGPT at the welfare center, I quickly forget and rarely get a chance to use it. The doll blinks its eyes and asks for a high five, so touching its hand feels like interacting with a living person. It's adorable."
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