Smart ways to help the elderly

For senior people with a visual impairment, a smart robot can help them navigate difficulties in daily life.

The Roby Mini, with its audio and video functions, can understand at least 95 percent of what someone is saying from a distance of 2 to 5 meters. The robot can answer questions, provide information and even tell jokes.

Owners can turn on lights and air-conditioning units by pressing buttons on the machine.

It can also remind elderly owners to take pills and inform them of hospital checkups and family birthdays.

China is home to 264 million people aged 60 or above, accounting for 18.7 percent of the total population. And the figure is expected to surge to 29 percent by 2036.

According to a 2019 report published by the China National Committee on Ageing, 84 percent of elderly people require community-based in-home elderly care services.