A robotic hand reaches out, adjusting a patient with careful precision. In a Tokyo lab, AIREC, an AI-driven humanoid, is being developed to assist Japan’s ageing population as the country faces a severe caregiver shortage.
Japan is ageing faster than almost any nation on Earth. The number of people aged 15-64—those who make up the workforce—is expected to shrink by 9.3% in the next decade, according to government data. Meanwhile, the elderly population continues to grow, straining the country’s already stretched caregiving system.
Unlike many Western nations, Japan has strict immigration controls, limiting foreign workers who could help bridge the gap. Instead, the government is betting on robots—not as a novelty, but as a necessity.
At Waseda University, researchers are developing AIREC, a humanoid robot designed to assist with daily care. From turning bedridden patients to helping them dress, the machine is built to perform delicate, hands-on tasks safely. It is part of a government-funded effort to revolutionise elder care with artificial intelligence.
Unlike traditional machines, AIREC isn’t just about automation—it’s about physical interaction. Most assistive robots work in controlled environments, but AIREC is being trained to sense human movements and react in real time.
“At the moment, robots still struggle to interact naturally with humans,” says Professor Shigeki Sugano, lead researcher at Waseda University. “The challenge isn’t just building a humanoid—it’s ensuring that the hardware and AI can work together to understand human behaviour.”
AIREC is already capable of helping patients sit up, put on socks, and perform simple household tasks like folding laundry and cooking scrambled eggs. Developers predict that by 2040, robots like AIREC will be assisting in care homes, with full-scale deployment expected by 2050.
Despite the rapid advancements, acceptance remains a challenge. In a Tokyo care home, 89-year-old Yukiko Namekata watches a robot perform a dance routine. Asked about the idea of robotic caregivers, she hesitates. "Isn’t it too early for that?"
Care workers also express mixed feelings. While robots could ease workloads, some fear the loss of human warmth—an essential part of caregiving.
Yet, as Japan’s caregiver shortage worsens, the presence of robots in hospitals and nursing homes may no longer be a choice, but a necessity.
AIREC is still in development, but its outstretched robotic hand symbolises more than just technology—it’s a glimpse into a future where caregiving is no longer just human.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for February 28th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Prayers continue as Pope Francis shows signs of improvement, offering hope to millions while he remains hospitalized in Rome.
As Ramadan approaches, markets in Jerusalem and the West Bank are seeing a significant drop in sales. Vendors attribute the decline to political instability, military operations, and restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities.
Canada, Mexico and the European Union are pushing back against the U.S. decision to increase tariffs on goods. With the March 4 deadline approaching, concerns over supply chain disruptions, rising consumer prices, and a potential global trade war are escalating.
Mexico has extradited 29 cartel figures to the United States in a surprise move, marking its largest handover of criminals in years. The decision follows threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on Mexican goods starting March 4.
Asylum claims in the UK reached a record high in 2024, with over 108,000 people claiming asylum, relating to 84,000 cases. The Home Office released the official immigration figures for the last year.
Recent deadly crashes in Kazakhstan, South Korea, and the United States, along with the non-fatal flip of a crash-landed jet in Canada, have brought aviation safety into the spotlight.
China's foreign ministry strongly opposes the threat of additional U.S. tariffs and vows to take necessary actions to safeguard its legitimate interests. The ministry criticises the U.S. for using the fentanyl issue as a pretext.
A recent discovery has revealed that ancient artifacts from the Treasure of Villena were crafted using metal from meteorites, offering new insights into early metalworking techniques in the Iberian Peninsula.
The city of Buriticupu, in Brazil’s northeastern Amazon, is facing a worsening crisis as massive sinkholes continue to expand, forcing authorities to declare a state of emergency. More than 1,200 residents are at risk of losing their homes.
Mountain View, CA, February 24, 2025 – In a move to bolster account security and curb global SMS abuse, Google is set to phase out its SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) option for Gmail users, according to a report by Forbes.
Hamas has begun releasing hostages from Gaza on Saturday in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, as Israel confirmed that a body handed over earlier was that of hostage Shiri Bibas.
China’s private enterprises are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and low-altitude aviation technologies to enhance efficiency, cut costs, and drive innovation. As AI transforms supply chain management and automation, businesses are also investing in aviation advancements.
Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost spacecraft, launched on January 15, has captured breathtaking close-ups of the Moon’s surface. Currently on a 45-day mission, the spacecraft aims to collect critical data as part of NASA’s lunar exploration effort.
AI startup ElevenLabs, known for its cutting-edge audio-generation technology, has unveiled its first stand-alone speech-to-text model, named Scribe.
In the wake of what is believed to be the largest crypto heist in history, crypto exchange Bybit has launched a $140 million bounty program aimed at tracing and freezing approximately $1.4 billion in stolen Ethereum.
In a newly issued executive order, the Trump administration has directed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to expand its review of federal spending by establishing centralized technological systems across all agencies.
During the latest earnings call, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang reiterated his bullish outlook for the company, dismissing concerns that DeepSeek’s R1 reasoning model might undercut Nvidia’s sales.
Asylum claims in the UK reached a record high in 2024, with over 108,000 people claiming asylum, relating to 84,000 cases. The Home Office released the official immigration figures for the last year.
Recent deadly crashes in Kazakhstan, South Korea, and the United States, along with the non-fatal flip of a crash-landed jet in Canada, have brought aviation safety into the spotlight.
China's foreign ministry strongly opposes the threat of additional U.S. tariffs and vows to take necessary actions to safeguard its legitimate interests. The ministry criticises the U.S. for using the fentanyl issue as a pretext.
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