We have been exploring and learning about elderly care robots for half a year now. After reviewing numerous products, I feel that truly humanoid elderly care robots are still quite distant from our expectations. However, this field has seen many dedicated efforts over the years. So, shouldn't we take a closer look at the currently available elderly care robots? 

今日話題：盤點(diǎn)全球已有的最先進(jìn)養(yǎng)老機(jī)器人

Today's Topic: Reviewing the World's Most Advanced Elderly Care Robots

在人口老齡化浪潮席卷全球的今天，科技開始在我們的日常生活中扮演著越來(lái)越重要的角色。而在養(yǎng)老領(lǐng)域，最受矚目是智能化、人性化的養(yǎng)老機(jī)器人。

從幫助日常生活到提供情感陪伴，這些機(jī)器人不僅僅是冰冷的機(jī)械，更是老年人的親密伙伴。雖然他們的模樣幾乎完全不是我們想象中人形機(jī)器人的樣子、也還沒有取代保姆的能力，但一群有愛心、有抱負(fù)、有實(shí)力的從業(yè)者，早已在這條道路上探索深耕。

今天，我們就一起來(lái)盤點(diǎn)全球已經(jīng)存在的最先進(jìn)養(yǎng)老機(jī)器人。????

With the global aging population wave sweeping across nations, technology is playing an increasingly significant role in our daily lives. In the field of elderly care, the spotlight is on intelligent and humanoid elderly care robots. 

These robots, from assisting in daily tasks to providing emotional companionship, are not just cold machines but intimate partners for the elderly. Although they don't look like the humanoid robots we imagine and can't fully replace caregivers, dedicated and passionate professionals have been exploring and advancing in this path for years. 

Today, let's review some of the most advanced elderly care robots existing worldwide. ????

1. Pepper：不僅是可愛的臉

1. Pepper: More Than Just a Cute Face

- 發(fā)明背景：Pepper機(jī)器人由日本的SoftBank Robotics公司于2014年首次推出。它是世界上第一個(gè)能夠識(shí)別人類情緒的人形機(jī)器人。????

  - Invented by: The Pepper robot was first launched by Japan's SoftBank Robotics in 2014. It is the world's first humanoid robot capable of recognizing human emotions. ????

- 迭代與發(fā)展：Pepper自推出以來(lái)，已經(jīng)歷了多次軟件和功能更新來(lái)不斷提升互動(dòng)能力和情感識(shí)別精度。????

  - Evolution: Since its launch, Pepper has undergone numerous software and functionality updates to continuously improve its interaction capabilities and emotion recognition accuracy. ????

- 全球應(yīng)用：Pepper在多個(gè)國(guó)家的養(yǎng)老院中應(yīng)用，包括日本、美國(guó)、法國(guó)和中國(guó)等。在日本的Shin-tomi養(yǎng)老院，Pepper每天帶領(lǐng)老人們進(jìn)行上肢運(yùn)動(dòng)和娛樂(lè)活動(dòng)。在中國(guó)，上海的養(yǎng)和家園等高端養(yǎng)老院也引入了Pepper。迄今為止，Pepper已經(jīng)服務(wù)了數(shù)以萬(wàn)計(jì)的老年人。??????

  - Global Applications: Pepper is used in nursing homes in several countries, including Japan, the USA, France, and China. In Japan's Shin-tomi nursing home, Pepper leads daily arm exercises and entertainment activities for the elderly. In China, high-end nursing homes like Shanghai's Yanghe Jiayuan have also adopted Pepper. To date, Pepper has served tens of thousands of elderly people. ??????

- 獨(dú)特功能：

  - 情感識(shí)別與互動(dòng)：Pepper可以通過(guò)攝像頭識(shí)別人類的面部表情和語(yǔ)音，進(jìn)而判斷對(duì)面人的情緒。????

  - 多語(yǔ)言支持：Pepper支持多種語(yǔ)言，可以在全球各地應(yīng)用。????

  - 豐富的應(yīng)用程序：擁有多個(gè)內(nèi)置應(yīng)用程序，從健康監(jiān)測(cè)到娛樂(lè)互動(dòng)，功能豐富多樣。????

  - Unique Features:

- Emotion Recognition and Interaction: Pepper can recognize human facial expressions and voices through its camera, allowing it to judge the person's emotions. ????

- Multi-language Support: Pepper supports multiple languages, making it applicable worldwide. ????

    - Rich Applications: It comes with various built-in applications, ranging from health monitoring to entertainment interactions. ????

2. Paro：治愈系小海豹

2. Paro: The Therapeutic Baby Seal

- 發(fā)明背景：Paro由日本國(guó)家先進(jìn)工業(yè)科學(xué)技術(shù)研究所（AIST）開發(fā)，并于2004年首次上市。Paro的設(shè)計(jì)靈感來(lái)源于小海豹，它是一款專為療愈目的設(shè)計(jì)的機(jī)器人。???
 
  - Invented by: Paro was developed by Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and first launched in 2004. Inspired by baby seals, Paro is designed specifically for therapeutic purposes. ???

- 迭代與發(fā)展：Paro自首次推出以來(lái)，經(jīng)過(guò)多次硬件和軟件更新，不斷提高響應(yīng)性和互動(dòng)性。????

  - Evolution: Since its first launch, Paro has undergone several hardware and software updates to enhance its responsiveness and interactivity. ????

- 全球應(yīng)用：Paro在全球多個(gè)國(guó)家的養(yǎng)老院和護(hù)理中心廣泛使用，包括日本、美國(guó)、丹麥和中國(guó)。在丹麥，Paro作為“治療動(dòng)物”在約400個(gè)老年護(hù)理中心使用。在中國(guó)，廣東和上海的養(yǎng)老社區(qū)也引入了Paro，幫助緩解老年人的孤獨(dú)感和焦慮。至今，Paro已經(jīng)幫助了成千上萬(wàn)的老年人。??????

  - Global Applications: Paro is widely used in nursing homes and care centers across several countries, including Japan, the USA, Denmark, and China. In Denmark, Paro is used as a 'therapeutic animal' in about 400 elderly care centers. In China, Paro has been introduced to elderly communities in Guangdong and Shanghai, helping to alleviate loneliness and anxiety among the elderly. To date, Paro has assisted thousands of elderly people. ??????

- 獨(dú)特功能：

  - 觸覺響應(yīng)：內(nèi)置多個(gè)觸摸感應(yīng)器，可以像真實(shí)的動(dòng)物一樣回應(yīng)撫摸。????

  - 聲音互動(dòng)：Paro會(huì)發(fā)出類似小海豹的叫聲，增加互動(dòng)的真實(shí)感。????

  - 情感支持：在療愈老年癡呆患者和緩解孤獨(dú)感方面有顯著效果。???

  - Unique Features:

- Tactile Response: Equipped with multiple touch sensors, Paro can respond to stroking like a real animal. ????

- Sound Interaction: Paro emits sounds similar to a baby seal, enhancing the realism of interactions. ????

    - Emotional Support: It significantly helps in therapeutic settings for dementia patients and in alleviating loneliness. ???

3. Jibo：家庭的新成員

3. Jibo: The New Family Member

- 發(fā)明背景：Jibo由麻省理工學(xué)院媒體實(shí)驗(yàn)室的Cynthia Breazeal教授領(lǐng)導(dǎo)開發(fā)，最早在2014年通過(guò)眾籌平臺(tái)Indiegogo推出。Jibo被稱為“世界上第一個(gè)社交機(jī)器人”。盡管經(jīng)歷了公司的財(cái)務(wù)困境和停產(chǎn)，Jibo的技術(shù)和理念仍然被許多用戶和科技評(píng)論家稱道。Jibo曾被《時(shí)代周刊》評(píng)為2017年最佳發(fā)明之一，證明了Jibo在推動(dòng)家庭機(jī)器人領(lǐng)域發(fā)展的重要性。???????

  - Invented by: Jibo was developed by Professor Cynthia Breazeal from the MIT Media Lab and initially launched via the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo in 2014. Known as the 'world's first social robot,' Jibo's technology and concept have been lauded by many users and tech critics, despite the company's financial challenges and production halt. Jibo was named one of Time magazine's Best Inventions of 2017, highlighting its significance in advancing the field of household robots. ???????

- 迭代與發(fā)展：雖然Jibo的硬件已經(jīng)停產(chǎn)，但它的軟件和應(yīng)用程序仍在持續(xù)更新，不斷提升存量用戶的互動(dòng)性和體驗(yàn)感。????

  - Evolution: Although Jibo's hardware is no longer in production, its software and applications continue to be updated, enhancing the interactivity and user experience for existing users. 

- 全球應(yīng)用：Jibo在家庭和一些老年人社區(qū)中得到了應(yīng)用，特別是在美國(guó)，Jibo通過(guò)互動(dòng)功能和個(gè)性化服務(wù)，成為了許多家庭的“新成員”。雖然Jibo公司的原版機(jī)器人不再生產(chǎn)，但它仍在一些地方繼續(xù)服務(wù)。??????

  - Global Applications: Jibo has found a place in homes and some elderly communities, particularly in the USA. Through its interactive features and personalized services, Jibo has become a 'new member' of many households. Although the original Jibo robots are no longer produced, they continue to serve in some locations. 

- 獨(dú)特功能：

  - 360度旋轉(zhuǎn)頭部：Jibo擁有一個(gè)可以360度旋轉(zhuǎn)的頭部，能夠靈活地跟蹤和回應(yīng)用戶。????

  - 個(gè)性化互動(dòng)：Jibo會(huì)記住每個(gè)家庭成員的喜好和習(xí)慣，提供定制化的服務(wù)。??????????

  - 教育和娛樂(lè)：通過(guò)豐富的應(yīng)用程序，Jibo可以為老年人提供教育和娛樂(lè)內(nèi)容。????

  - Unique Features:

- 360-degree Rotating Head: Jibo has a head that can rotate 360 degrees, allowing it to flexibly track and respond to users. ????

- Personalized Interaction: Jibo remembers the preferences and habits of each family member, offering customized services. ??????????

    - Education and Entertainment: Through its rich array of applications, Jibo provides educational and entertainment content for the elderly. 

4. ElliQ：智慧與溫暖的結(jié)合

4. ElliQ: The Fusion of Wisdom and Warmth

- 發(fā)明背景：ElliQ由以色列公司Intuition Robotics開發(fā)，于2017年首次亮相。ElliQ的設(shè)計(jì)理念是通過(guò)提供陪伴和互動(dòng)，幫助老年人保持活躍和社交連接。我們也曾經(jīng)在WelcomingANNA視頻號(hào)分享過(guò)BBC關(guān)于ElliQ試用者的紀(jì)錄片。???

  - Invented by: ElliQ was developed by the Israeli company Intuition Robotics and first unveiled in 2017. Designed to provide companionship and interaction, ElliQ helps the elderly stay active and socially connected. We have also shared a BBC documentary about ElliQ users on the WelcomingANNA video channel. ???

- 迭代與發(fā)展：自推出以來(lái)，ElliQ的功能不斷升級(jí)，增強(qiáng)了在健康管理和社交互動(dòng)方面的能力。????

  - Evolution: Since its launch, ElliQ's capabilities have continuously been upgraded, enhancing its health management and social interaction features. ????

- 全球應(yīng)用：ElliQ在美國(guó)和歐洲的多個(gè)老年社區(qū)和家庭中應(yīng)用，幫助老年人保持與家人和朋友的聯(lián)系，并提供日?；顒?dòng)建議。ElliQ已經(jīng)服務(wù)了數(shù)千名老年人，通過(guò)智能互動(dòng)功能，改善了老人們的生活質(zhì)量。??????

  - Global Applications: ElliQ is used in various elderly communities and homes in the USA and Europe, helping the elderly maintain connections with family and friends and offering daily activity suggestions. ElliQ has served thousands of elderly people, improving their quality of life through smart interaction features. ??????

- 獨(dú)特功能：

  - 主動(dòng)建議：ElliQ會(huì)根據(jù)用戶的日常行為模式，主動(dòng)提出有趣的活動(dòng)建議。????

  - 社交連接：幫助老年人保持與家人和朋友的聯(lián)系，減少孤獨(dú)感。?????????????

  - 健康監(jiān)測(cè)：具備提醒吃藥、檢測(cè)活動(dòng)量等健康管理功能。?????♂

  - Unique Features:

- Proactive Suggestions: ElliQ makes interesting activity suggestions based on the user's daily behavior patterns. ????

- Social Connection: It helps the elderly stay in touch with family and friends, reducing feelings of loneliness. ?????????????

    - Health Monitoring: ElliQ features health management functions like medication reminders and activity tracking. ?????♂

5. Care-O-bot 4：高科技的家務(wù)能手

5. Care-O-bot 4: The High-tech Household Helper

- 發(fā)明背景：Care-O-bot 4由德國(guó)的Fraunhofer IPA研究所開發(fā)，于1998年首次發(fā)布。它是為家庭和專業(yè)護(hù)理環(huán)境設(shè)計(jì)的模塊化服務(wù)機(jī)器人。????
 
  - Invented by: Care-O-bot 4 was developed by Germany's Fraunhofer IPA and first released in 1998. It is a modular service robot designed for both household and professional care environments. ????

- 迭代與發(fā)展：Care-O-bot自1998年推出以來(lái)，已經(jīng)經(jīng)歷了四次重大迭代，每一次都顯著提升了功能和適應(yīng)性。????

  - Evolution: Since its introduction in 1998, Care-O-bot has undergone four major iterations, each significantly enhancing its functionality and adaptability. ????

- 全球應(yīng)用：Care-O-bot 4在德國(guó)、英國(guó)和其他歐洲國(guó)家的高端養(yǎng)老院和特定的護(hù)理項(xiàng)目中得到了廣泛應(yīng)用。它主要用于幫助老年人遞送物品、情感陪伴等。目前，Care-O-bot 4已經(jīng)在歐洲幫助了成千上萬(wàn)的老年人。??????

  - Global Applications: Care-O-bot 4 is widely used in high-end nursing homes and specific care projects in Germany, the UK, and other European countries. It primarily assists the elderly in delivering items and providing emotional companionship. Currently, Care-O-bot 4 has helped thousands of elderly people across Europe. ??????

- 獨(dú)特功能：

  - 模塊化設(shè)計(jì)：可以根據(jù)不同任務(wù)需求配置不同的模塊，靈活適應(yīng)各種家務(wù)任務(wù)。????

  - 智能學(xué)習(xí)：能夠通過(guò)持續(xù)的使用和反饋，自動(dòng)優(yōu)化任務(wù)執(zhí)行效率。????

  - 安全導(dǎo)航：配備先進(jìn)的傳感器，確保在養(yǎng)老院和家庭環(huán)境中的安全移動(dòng)和操作。?????♂

  - Unique Features:

- Modular Design: It can be configured with different modules to flexibly adapt to various household tasks. ????

- Intelligent Learning: Care-O-bot 4 automatically optimizes its task execution efficiency through continuous use and feedback. ????

    - Safe Navigation: Equipped with advanced sensors, it ensures safe movement and operation in nursing homes and household environments.

養(yǎng)老機(jī)器人不僅僅代表著科技的進(jìn)步，更象征著對(duì)陪伴和關(guān)愛的重視、以智能化、人性化的方式，幫助老年人保持獨(dú)立生活，提高生活質(zhì)量。

從Pepper的情感識(shí)別到ElliQ的健康管理，這些機(jī)器人展現(xiàn)出科技與人性的漸進(jìn)融合。

正如這些機(jī)器人的發(fā)展，我們也要不斷適應(yīng)和迭代自我，去迎接機(jī)器人養(yǎng)老時(shí)代來(lái)臨。????

Elderly care robots represent not only technological advancements but also a commitment to companionship and care, helping the elderly maintain independent living and enhance their quality of life in a smart, humane way. 

From Pepper's emotion recognition to ElliQ's health management, these robots demonstrate the gradual fusion of technology and humanity. 

Just like the development of these robots, we must continuously adapt and evolve ourselves to welcome the era of robotic elderly care. ????

您對(duì)這些機(jī)器人有什么看法呢？您認(rèn)為它們能在多大程度上改變未來(lái)的養(yǎng)老生活？歡迎分享您的觀點(diǎn)哦。????

What do you think about these robots? How do you think they can change the future of elderly care? Feel free to share your thoughts! ????

??愿越來(lái)越先進(jìn)的養(yǎng)老機(jī)器人為養(yǎng)老生活帶來(lái)越來(lái)越多的關(guān)愛和希望！ ??????

??May increasingly advanced elder care robots bring more love and hope to the lives of the elderly! ??????