Hyodol is an AI care robot designed to provide companionship and assistance to elderly individuals living alone, particularly in South Korea. It engages with them in various activities like medication reminders, exercise prompts, and even memory-stimulating quizzes. The robot has gained popularity among the elderly, with around 7,000 users in South Korea as of July 23.

The need for such AI companion robots has grown due to the increasing number of single households, accounting for 33.4 percent of total households in 2021. Loneliness and isolated deaths have also seen a rise, prompting the development of solutions like Hyodol.

The average user of Hyodol is around 82 years old, and the robot’s capabilities include checking on its human companion’s well-being and alerting caregivers in case of abnormal reactions or no response. It has even been utilized in the treatment of dementia patients, reducing the burden on their caregivers.

The company behind Hyodol has plans to expand its offerings globally, with versions in English, Mandarin, Japanese, and future developments in Dutch. The CEO envisions collaborations with foreign companies, including potentially integrating religious texts like the Quran for users in Muslim-majority countries.

Hyodol aims to enhance its communication abilities, potentially incorporating technologies like Microsoft’s Azure for more sophisticated interactions. The company envisions providing personalized healthcare services in various countries, including European nations, Japan, and China. Other South Korean companies are also exploring technologies like IoT sensors to provide care services for older people in similar situations.

Summarized by ChatGPT