AI Robot - Solution to the problem of elderly care in Japan

Accordingly, researchers in Japan have developed many advanced technologies to support elderly care, including AIREC - a humanoid robot that can perform basic nursing tasks.

The 150-kilogram, AI-controlled humanoid robot AIREC is an advanced prototype designed to serve as a future “caregiver.”

It was developed to address Japan's rapidly aging population and the severe shortage of human resources in the field of elderly care.

With the ability to support tasks such as lifting, moving patients and providing companionship, AIREC promises to become a technological solution to help reduce pressure on the healthcare system and nursing homes in the future.

The reality of population aging and labor shortage

Japan is now the world's fastest-aging country with a sharply declining birth rate. According to the Japanese Ministry of Health, the number of babies born in 2024 fell 5% from the previous year, to a record 720,988.

At the same time, the post-war baby boomer generation (1947-1949) will turn at least 75 by the end of 2024, significantly increasing the need for elderly care.

The nursing shortage is getting worse. Government data shows there is only one applicant for every 4.25 jobs in the field, compared to the national average of 1.22.

Although Japan has opened its doors to foreign workers in the healthcare sector, the number of foreign workers will only reach about 57,000 by 2023, accounting for less than 3% of the total workforce in the industry.

AI Technology in Elderly Care

Faced with this situation, Japanese scientists are actively researching and developing AI robot technology to support elderly care. One of the typical projects is the AIREC robot, developed by Professor Shigeki Sugano and a research team at Waseda University with government funding.

This robot is capable of performing nursing tasks such as helping patients change positions to prevent bedsores, assisting with dressing, cooking and folding clothes.

In addition to AIREC, other technologies are also being deployed in care facilities. Smaller robots can help seniors exercise, while sleep sensors can monitor how well patients are resting and reduce the workload for healthcare workers.

These advances offer hope for a future where humans and robots can collaborate to improve the quality of nursing care.

Challenges and prospects

Despite its great potential, the application of AI robots in elderly care still faces many barriers. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that robots can interact safely and flexibly with humans.

According to Professor Sugano, humanoid robots are still in the development stage and need to achieve higher precision to be able to provide truly effective assistance.

Cost is also a major issue. AIREC is not expected to be widely deployed before 2030, and the initial cost could be as high as 10 million yen (about $67,000). This raises questions about the feasibility of integrating AI robots into the current healthcare system.

Still, many experts remain optimistic about the future of robotic nursing. Takaki Ito, a care worker at Zenkoukai Nursing Center, believes that if AI robots can recognize the living conditions and personal characteristics of each person receiving care, they will significantly improve the quality of service.

However, he also emphasized that technology cannot completely replace humans, but needs to coordinate with the nursing team to provide the best care.

In short, Japan is at a critical turning point in its healthcare sector as it seeks to address its rapidly aging population. While the application of AI robots to elderly care may help ease the pressure on the nursing care industry, there are still many challenges to overcome.

The future of nursing will not only rely on technology, but also on the harmonious combination of humans and robots to provide the best care for the elderly.