A High-Tech Smart Dolls for South Korea's Seniors

 

In South Korea, where a declining birth rate and aging population are major concerns, a unique solution is being implemented to combat loneliness and provide care for the elderly. Regional authorities have introduced smart dolls named Hyodol equipped with technology like ChatGPT to assist seniors. These dolls are designed to be more than just toys; they are companions that can talk, remind owners to take their medication, and monitor their well-being through built-in sensors.

South Korea's demographic shift presents a significant challenge. The country's birth rate has plummeted in recent years, while the elderly population continues to grow. As a result, many seniors' family members are unable to spend much time with them due to work commitments. As Kim Soon-hwa, director of the Gundong Social Welfare Center, notes, the greatest fear for many elderly people is not death, but loneliness.

This demographic problem is compounded by a strained social care system. In 2023, there was a deficit of 190,000 elder care workers, a number projected to balloon to 1.55 million by 2032. Furthermore, funding for the national long-term care insurance program is expected to be depleted by 2030.

The Hyodol dolls address these issues by providing a form of companionship and oversight. They can engage in conversation, remind seniors about meals and medications, and even record responses to questions using built-in microphones. This information is then relayed to social workers, who can intervene if a problem is detected. All data collected is confidential and stored in a secure cloud for three years, also being used to train the neural network that powers the dolls. Sensors in the dolls track the location and behavior of seniors, for example, to prevent them from selling the device.

The Hyodol company has ambitions to expand globally, with plans for large-scale production and sales in the United States by 2026. The dolls have already had a positive impact on many seniors. Many have grown deeply attached to their Hyodols, calling them "grandchildren." An 81-year-old man from Seoul, for instance, affectionately refers to his doll as his "beautiful granddaughter," saying, "I love you to the moon and back." These smart companions are helping to fill a void and provide a sense of connection for those who need it most.