South Korea Utilizes AI Care Robots to Assist Rising Elderly Population
South Korea is addressing its growing elderly care crisis by expanding the deployment of companion robots powered by ChatGPT. With over-65s now accounting for approximately 20% of the country’s 51 million population, the initiative focuses on Hyodol, an AI-powered doll-like robot. Hyodol provides companionship, medication reminders, and health monitoring for seniors living alone.
Currently, more than 12,000 Hyodol robots are in use across South Korea. The Guro district of Seoul alone has distributed 412 units since 2019. These robots utilize ChatGPT-based conversational AI to engage elderly users in dialogue with a cheerful, childlike voice. The built-in sensors monitor users in real-time and alert social workers during emergencies. An infrared sensor on the robot’s neck detects movement, automatically sending alarms if no activity is detected for 24 hours.
The program is a response to South Korea’s profound elderly loneliness crisis. Approximately one in three seniors live alone, and suicide rates among older adults remain the highest in OECD nations. Eldercare workers report that the robots serve as their “eyes and ears” between visits. Many seniors form deep emotional bonds with their Hyodol companions, treating them like grandchildren.
Each Hyodol robot costs approximately 1.6 million won (about $8,160), a fraction of a caregiver’s annual salary. This makes them a cost-effective supplement to the country’s strained social care system.
Source: https://restofworld.org/2025/korea-ai-robot-senior-care-hyodol/