NHN (181710) announced plans to donate a total of 200 artificial intelligence (AI) Go-playing robots to local communities by next year as part of its digital elderly care initiative in response to Korea's super-aged society.
The company said on the 11th that it had donated AI Go-playing robots to six senior welfare centers in Seongnam. This donation is an extension of NHN's community AI Go robot donation program launched last year. The robots were delivered on the previous day to six welfare centers in Seongnam, including Bundang Senior Welfare Center, Sujeong Senior Welfare Center, Sujeong Central Senior Welfare Center, Jungwon Senior Welfare Center, Pangyo Senior Welfare Center, and Hwangsong Senior Welfare Center.
Since last year, NHN has donated a total of 19 AI Go-playing robots to local governments including Jincheon County in North Chungcheong Province, Gangnam District in Seoul, and Pocheon in Gyeonggi Province, as well as public institutions such as the Gyeongnam Social Service Agency and the Korea Senior Citizens Support Center for the Living Alone. The company plans to sequentially deliver a total of 200 robots to local governments and welfare facilities nationwide over three years.
The AI Go-playing robot uses a monitor and robotic arm to play games on an actual Go board. The device can provide sophisticated gameplay matched to users' skill levels, and is expected to help reduce isolation among seniors while potentially preventing dementia through improved cognitive function.
Additionally, NHN is partnering with local governments through its senior care subsidiary "Waflat" to provide customized elderly care services, integrated medical and care support pilot programs, and solitary death prevention initiatives.
An NHN official said, "As we become a super-aged society, creating a digital care environment for healthy aging is becoming increasingly important." The official added, "As an IT company, NHN will continue to apply our capabilities to social contribution activities, helping local seniors experience digital services more comfortably and maintain leisure and cognitive activities in their daily lives."