AI-integrated dolls help care for seniors in South Korea

The trend attracted attention this week when a 78-year old woman said she preferred one over humans

Rowan Dunne

Published

June 12, 2026

AI increasingly supports healthcare and seniors through innovative tools that enhance monitoring, companionship and daily assistance. Engineers design this tech to tackle challenges like isolation and chronic conditions.

In South Korea, AI-powered dolls now serve as lively companions for many elderly people living alone. These interactive devices greet users upon returning home, sing songs, remind them to eat or take medication, engage in conversations via ChatGPT integration and express affection. Media attention this week has focused on a 78-year-old woman who says she prefers her doll over people.

Hyodol stands as the leading brand, with around 14,500 units in use across homes, rentals by local governments, and nursing facilities. Other notable options include smiling robots from Wonderful Platform and similar dolls from Mr. Mind. Local authorities distribute many of these in Seoul districts and places like Yongin to prevent lonely deaths, which exceeded 3,920 in 2024.

This trend aligns closely with South Korea’s demographic crisis. The country has long recorded the world’s lowest birth rates. It improved modestly in 2025 but still remains very low compared to other nations. With nearly half the population aged 50 or older and many single-person households, seniors often lack the family companionship grandchildren once provided. AI dolls help fill this emotional gap.

Neighbouring Asian nations have adopted similar solutions. Japan currently deploys therapeutic robots like the seal “Paro” for emotional support in care settings and partners on versions of ElliQ for its 36 million seniors. Singapore has also created a robot named Dexie that is utilized for dementia care among elderly patients.

Abroad, adoption grows steadily. In the United States, the lamp-like ElliQ offers companionship and monitoring in pilot programmes, including in New York and Washington. Moreover, Australia’s Andromeda Robotics has been running promising tests with the colourful Abi robot in aged care homes to help ease staff shortages.