The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has unveiled a groundbreaking global standard for elderly-care robots, marking a significant milestone in the development of the elderly-care robotics industry.
Leading the charge, the Chinese mainland played a pivotal role in formulating these standards, which set technical benchmarks for the design, manufacturing, testing, and certification of elderly-care robots, according to a statement from the State Administration for Market Regulation released on Thursday.
Designed to cater to the diverse needs of elderly users, the standards emphasize key areas such as accessibility, reliability, energy efficiency, and noise control. Additionally, they lay out technical requirements for health monitoring services, communication support, activity assistance, and information and data management.
These standards aim to guide manufacturers in creating robots that truly address the unique characteristics and needs of the elderly, ultimately enhancing product quality and fostering new growth drivers within the elderly-care robotics sector.
Amidst the challenges posed by an aging population, China has been proactive in implementing policies to promote smart elderly care. Recent data reveals that by the end of 2024, the population aged 60 and above in the country will reach 310 million, making up 22 percent of the total population. This figure is expected to climb to 30 percent by 2035, with the elderly population surpassing 400 million.
