Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
Cheonan to test AI care services for older people living alone
Cheonan, a city in South Korea’s South Chungcheong province, has agreed with Pong Co.
to test AI-based care services for older people.
The pilot will involve 20 households, including older people who live alone and people receiving integrated medical and care support.
Participants will receive phone calls for companionship and emotional support, while internet-connected devices will help check daily living information and safety.
The city plans to make regular check-in calls and monitor for signs that someone may need help.
The service is intended to reduce isolation and help prevent older people from dying alone.
The city and company will install devices, conduct initial surveys and gather feedback from participants as they test the service.
Cheonan has signed an agreement with Pong Co. to test AI-based psychological care services for older people.
The pilot will include 20 households of older people receiving integrated medical and care services, people living alone and other vulnerable older residents.
Participants will receive AI phone calls for companionship and emotional support, alongside IoT-based checks on daily living and safety monitoring.
The city plans regular welfare checks and monitoring for signs of trouble.
The project aims to reduce isolation and help prevent deaths among people living alone.
- Who
- Cheonan City and Pong Co.
- What
- They signed an agreement to run a pilot of AI-based psychological care services for older people. The pilot will cover 20 households.
- When
- The agreement was signed on the 12th. The article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea.
- Why
- The city aims to reduce older people’s isolation, support their safety and help prevent deaths among people living alone.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Through this agreement, we will build an AI technology-based care service model to respond to a super-aged society.
By linking it with existing integrated medical and care services, we will make a practical contribution to easing older people’s isolation and preventing deaths among people living alone.
Pong Co. was selected for the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s 2026 project supporting the rapid commercialization of AI products in the welfare sector.
Cheonan City and Pong Co. signed an agreement to run the pilot.
- Pilot participants
- 20 households
- Service
- AI phone companionship and emotional care
- Monitoring
- IoT-based checks on daily living and safety
- Location
- Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province
- Agreement date
- October 12, 2026
Sources
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