South Korea is one of the fastest-aging countries in the world. Today, people over 65 make up more than 20% of the population, and about one in three of them live alone. Loneliness and depression lead to about 10 older adults committing suicide every day.
To combat this problem, the government is distributing Hyodol AI-dolls to older people - soft, 40-50 cm tall "grandchildren" who speak with the voice of a seven-year-old child. The dolls remind older people to take their pills, call an ambulance, sing, play, and, most importantly, every time older people are alone at home, they happily address them: "Grandpa/Grandpa, I've been waiting for you all day."
As of November 2025, more than 12,000 such dolls have been distributed in Korea under government programs. Studies have shown that after 6 weeks of use, seniors experience reduced depression, improved memory, and can stay at home longer without moving to a nursing home.
However, not everyone is accepting of the "robo-grandchild." Some seniors consider it "noisy" or "childish," and experts warn that the doll should not become a complete substitute for human contact.
The company Hyodol is planning to enter the international market in 2026, and the global market for elderly care robots will reach $7.7 billion by 2030.
