Release date: 2009-08-13
Experts predict that by 2030, over 20% of China’s population will be aged 60 or older, and by 2050, this number is expected to rise to 31.2%. This means that the current generation of 30-year-olds will soon become the main force in an aging society. Facing this demographic shift brings both challenges and opportunities. It's essential to explore solutions for elderly care, healthcare, and social support systems. Starting today, this edition launches a special series titled “Aging on Aging,†focusing on how to address the growing needs of an aging population through innovations in elderly care products and medical services.
One major challenge is the increasing difficulty in providing adequate care for the elderly due to busy lifestyles of their children. To tackle this issue, during the "Eleventh Five-Year Plan," the National 863 Program included service robots as a key project under advanced manufacturing technology. The goal was to develop cost-effective robotic solutions that can assist the elderly with daily tasks and improve their quality of life.
Professor Chen Diansheng from the Institute of Robotics at Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics explained that different types of walking robots have been designed based on the mobility levels of the elderly. Some robots act as personal bodyguards, helping seniors walk, while others are wearable devices that assist with leg exercises. There are also robots capable of climbing stairs, allowing the elderly to move more freely. Additionally, bed-integrated robots help those who are bedridden, functioning as both a bed and a wheelchair when needed.
Another important feature of these robots is their ability to monitor vital signs such as pulse, temperature, and blood oxygen levels. These data can be transmitted wirelessly to community health centers, enabling early detection of potential health issues. In emergencies, the robot can alert family members or emergency services, potentially saving lives.
Robots are also being designed to provide companionship, reducing loneliness among the elderly. Some models feature a cute panda-like design, making them more approachable and friendly. However, there are still technical challenges to overcome, including environmental modeling, autonomous control, human-robot interaction, and safety. For instance, robots must avoid obstacles and interact safely with humans, which requires further development in sensor technology and software algorithms.
Currently, service robots are still in their early stages, and many models are expensive, limiting their accessibility to the general public. However, the 863 Program aims to create affordable, functional robots tailored to the needs of Chinese seniors. According to Minister Zheng Chunhui from the Xinsong Research Institute, the high cost of existing elderly robots is largely due to expensive sensors and medical-grade components. As the technology matures and production scales up, prices are expected to drop significantly.
Next year, a series of assisted and disabled robots developed under the 863 Program will be demonstrated in nursing homes in Beijing, including the Four Seasons Qingzhen Nursing Home and the Shanghai First Social Welfare Institute. These robots will be used in various settings, from living rooms to health centers, aiming to reduce the burden on caregivers and allow them to focus more on emotional support for the elderly.
Experts believe that real-world demonstrations can attract businesses and drive the industrialization of elderly robots. If mass production becomes feasible, robots could eventually become common in households and care institutions. Like computers 30 years ago, today's robots are in the early stages of industrialization. With modularization and standardization, different parts of the robot can be developed separately and then integrated according to specific needs, accelerating the adoption of robotic assistance in elder care.
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