Japan develops AI robots to care for the elderly

According to foreign media reports, Japan has developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven humanoid robot, hoping to take on the role of caregiver for the elderly in the future and solve the serious shortage of nursing staff.

This robot, called AIREC, can help people sit up, put on socks, fry eggs, fold clothes and do some housework.

However, Shigeki Kanno, a professor at Waseda University who led the research and development project, expects AIREC to be put into nursing and medical services until 2030, and the initial price will not be less than 10 million yen (about 484,000 yuan).

Japan is the most aging country in the world. A large number of “baby boomers” born between 1947 and 1949 after World War II will all be 75 years old and above by the end of 2024.

Last month, preliminary statistics released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan showed that the number of births in Japan last year was 720,988 (including foreigners in Japan), a year-on-year decrease of 5%. Japan’s birth rate has declined for nine consecutive years, hitting a new low since statistics began in 1899.