SEOUL -- Hyodol, a South Korean care robot company, has received a prestigious nomination for the "Best Mobile Innovation for Connected Health and Wellbeing" award at this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona.
Hyodol specializes in creating doll-shaped robots equipped with advanced features, including a mobile communication module, processor, various sensors, and speakers. The Hyodol robot, powered by large language model-based artificial intelligence, can engage in verbal conversations with human partners.
Designed to resemble the appearance of a small child, the Hyodol robot has garnered attention from South Korea's local governments for its ability to assist the elderly population. It can remind seniors to take their medication, encourage them to exercise, and even engage in recreational activities like singing and memory games. Additionally, the robot can alert the control center if it detects no movement for a certain period, enhancing safety measures for users.
Information released by the state-operated Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) on February 20 confirms Hyodol's nomination for the "Best Mobile Innovation for Connected Health and Wellbeing" category at the MWC Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO).
In South Korea, approximately 7,000 Hyodol robots are deployed to the homes of elderly individuals living alone, providing vital support and companionship. Local governments, including provincial and county offices, have embraced Hyodol as a solution to address social challenges stemming from the country's rapidly aging society. Moreover, the robot is actively used in the treatment of dementia patients at a university hospital in Gangwon province.
Hyodol's nomination places it alongside major South Korean tech giants such as Samsung Electronics, SK Telecom, and KT. Samsung received nominations across various categories, including "Best Mobile Network Infrastructure," "Best Smartphone," and "Best Connected Consumer Device." SK Telecom earned nominations for its contributions to communication security, while KT was recognized for its innovations in mobile smart city infrastructure.
"The global recognition of the achievements of AI-based care robots in the home market, South Korea, is very meaningful. Starting with our participation in MWC, we will officially launch Hyodol robots in the European and North American markets in the second half of 2024," Hyodol CEO Kim Ji-hee told Aju Korea Daily on February 20. Kim added that the company will strive to introduce healthcare platform services that can further enhance the quality of life and health of seniors worldwide.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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