The International Electrotechnical Commission has unveiled a global standard for elderly-care robots, marking a significant milestone in the healthy development of the elderly-care robotics industry. Spearheaded by China, this standard sets comprehensive technical benchmarks for the design, manufacturing, testing, and certification of these essential robots, according to a statement from the State Administration for Market Regulation released on Thursday.
Designed to address the multifaceted needs of elderly users, the standard emphasizes key areas such as accessibility, reliability, energy efficiency, and noise control. It also outlines specific technical requirements for health monitoring services, communication support, activity assistance, and information and data management, ensuring that elderly-care robots can effectively support daily living and healthcare needs.
The introduction of this standard is expected to guide manufacturers in focusing on the unique characteristics and requirements of the elderly population during product design. By enhancing the quality of robot products, this initiative aims to foster new growth drivers within the elderly-care robotics sector, the administration noted.
Amidst challenges posed by an aging population, China has been proactive in issuing policies that promote the development of smart elderly care solutions. Recent data indicates that by the end of 2024, the population aged 60 and above in China will reach 310 million, accounting for 22 percent of the total population. This number is projected to increase to 30 percent by 2035, with the elderly population expected to surpass 400 million.
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China leads global effort with int'l standard for elderly-care robots
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