AI robot, a 'good child,' helps elderly South Koreans overcome loneliness.

In South Korea, tens of thousands of elderly people living alone are finding joy and comfort in the help of robots equipped with artificial intelligence (AI).

According to data from the Korean National Statistics Office, over 20% of the current population are elderly people aged 65 and over, and this number is projected to increase to 40% by 2050. Approximately one-third of these elderly people live alone, and many feel isolated, especially in large cities like Seoul or Busan.

In this context, AI-powered robot dolls are gradually becoming "family members" helping elderly South Koreans overcome loneliness.

As of November 2025, more than 12,000 robots named Hyodol will have been deployed to elderly people living alone across South Korea . The majority of these devices are distributed through government welfare programs, while approximately 1,000 others are privately purchased by families at a cost of 1.3 million won ( approximately $879) for the latest model.

Hyodol has a soft, doll-like design with big eyes and a friendly smile. The robot is equipped with AI-powered conversational abilities, using the voice of a 7-year-old child; it can sing, give exercise instructions, and react to gentle touches or being held. However, its core value lies in its ability to communicate emotionally. The greeting, "Grandpa/Grandma, I've been waiting for you all day," whenever its owner returns home is considered by many elderly people as an invaluable source of emotional comfort.

In addition , Hyodol can remind elderly people to take their medication, eat, monitor their health, and send emergency signals to social workers when necessary.

However, Jihee Kim, CEO of Hyodol, said the device is not suitable for everyone. “Hyodol should be seen as a support tool, not a replacement for human care. Elderly people who are still physically and mentally independent often find the robot ‘noisy’ or ‘annoying’ , ” she said.

According to Ms. Kim, the average age of Hyodol users is currently 82 years old, indicating that the robot is primarily suitable for the elderly and more vulnerable population.

According to CNN , the global market for robots that care for the elderly could reach $7.7 billion by 2030.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/robot-ai-chau-ngoan-giup-nguoi-cao-tuoi-han-quoc-vuot-qua-co-don.html