As China tackles aging, elderly-care robots hit fast track

As China tackles aging, elderly-care robots hit fast track China is witnessing aapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics into eldercare services, offering innovative solutions to the challenges of an aging population.  The latest data shows that by the end of 2024, China's population aged 60 and above reached 310 million, accounting for roughly 22 percent of its total population.

The International Electrotechnical Commission recently released a global standard for elderly-care robots. Led by China in its formulation, the standard sets technical benchmarks for product design, manufacturing, testing and certification for such robots. SHENYANG, March 14 (Xinhua) -- In a nursing home in south China's Shenzhen, an elderly resident curiously reaches out to hold the hand of "Xia Lan," a humanoid robot with lifelike skin, blinking eyes and a warm, soothing voice. “Can you dance for us?" one senior asks, prompting smiles from those around. "I'm so happy to see robots becoming part of our lives," another resident remarks. "I hope they bring us more convenience."

The International Electrotechnical Commission has recently released a global standard for elderly care robots. This standard was led by China in its formulation and sets a technical benchmark for the product design, manufacture, testing and certification of such robots. Elderly care robots, once a distant concept, are now rapidly becoming a reality for China's aging population. Bi Yalei, the secretary-general of the Shenzhen Robot Association, said, "Elderly care robots represent an untapped market." With the pressing issues in the field of elderly care, such as mobility assistance, fall prevention and rehabilitation support, many companies in Shenzhen are actively investing in this area due to strong demand. Although elderly care robots are still in their infancy compared with industrial robots, some users have already begun to experience the convenience they offer. In the elderly care home in Shenzhen, robots have now become an indispensable part of daily life. They play chess with the elderly, provide artificial intelligence-assisted moxibustion treatment, and offer enhanced mobility assistance.

During the Spring Festival of 2025, the exoskeleton robot of Kenqing Technology, a robot company in Shenzhen, helped the elderly climb Mount Tai, one of the most representative mountains in China, which sparked heated discussions online.

Yu Yunbo, the general manager of Kenqing Technology, said, "This experience reveals that the huge unmet needs of the elderly." China's silver economy is huge in scale, but the market lacks high-quality elderly care products. Across China, robotic solutions are transforming elderly care. In Shenyang, the capital city of Liaoning Province in northeastern China, a 70-year-old stroke survivor surnamed Zhang regained his ability to walk using an exoskeleton rehabilitation device developed by Siasun Robot & Automation Co., LTD. At first, I could hardly lift my legs. But now, I can climb the stairs again.

Meanwhile, in Chengdu, southwest China, the Pacific Nursing Home has launched a companion robot named "Yangyang", which wakes up residents every morning, provides the latest weather information and reminds them of their daily activities.  More humanoid elderly care robots like "Yangyang" are about to enter the market. The Chengdu Humanoid Robot Innovation Center plans to launch a lightweight humanoid robot in June, specifically designed for home and health applications.