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.
Britain's King Charles is resuming public duties this week after a brief hospital visit due to side effects from his cancer treatment. Following a restful weekend, he is preparing for a regular working week at Windsor Castle, with some appointments rescheduled ahead of his state visit to Italy.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that his upcoming reciprocal tariffs will apply to all nations, rather than just targeting the 10 to 15 countries with the largest trade imbalances. Trump plans to unveil the tariff package on Wednesday, calling it “Liberation Day.”
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is attempting to back out of a critical minerals deal, warning that such a move would bring serious repercussions.
Bangladesh’s main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has warned of public unrest if elections are not held by December, following remarks from interim leader Muhammad Yunus suggesting a possible delay until 2026.
Over 300,000 Canadians were left without power on Sunday as a severe ice storm battered parts of Ontario, according to electricity provider Hydro One. The storm brought freezing rain and ice pellets over the weekend, with power outages continuing into Monday morning in some regions.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Apple marked its 49th anniversary by reaching a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. Despite recent tech stock volatility, Apple's shares surged 28% in 2024.
Sweden announced its largest military aid package to Ukraine worth $1.6 billion to help Kyiv strengthen its position in peace talks. The package includes new equipment and financial donations for Ukraine's defense industry, with Sweden's total support since 2022 reaching 80 billion crowns.
Britain's King Charles is resuming public duties this week after a brief hospital visit due to side effects from his cancer treatment. Following a restful weekend, he is preparing for a regular working week at Windsor Castle, with some appointments rescheduled ahead of his state visit to Italy.
Thomas Lubanga, a convicted war criminal, has announced the formation of the Convention for the Popular Revolution (CPR) in eastern Congo's Ituri province, posing a new security threat as Congo's army faces advances by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels.
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots, monitoring a Chinese navy warship as it navigated Australian waters, were alerted to a live-fire exercise via a civilian radio broadcast, defense officials revealed on Tuesday.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar’s Sagaing region, followed by a 6.4-magnitude tremor, killing 2056 people and leaving 3,900 injured. The quake caused building collapses in Myanmar and Thailand, prompting emergency declarations and ongoing rescue efforts.
As the world shifts toward clean energy at an ever-accelerating pace, large economies are scrambling to secure reliable supply chains for rare earth minerals. These minerals, once seen as mere industrial components, have become a political tool in the global power struggle
Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
Neuralink plans to implant its first Blindsight vision chip in a human by the end of the year, enabling vision for those born blind, according to Elon Musk. The device could eventually surpass natural vision, allowing users to see in infrared, ultraviolet, and radar ranges.
Researchers at Rice University have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of strange metals—materials that defy conventional understanding of electricity and magnetism
Airbus UK wins a £150 million-contract to engineer landing platform that will safely deliver the first European rover on Mars. First British-built rover will explore the red planet in 2030 for signs of present and past life on Mars.
The model aims to enhance Alibaba’s presence in the generative AI sector and is available as open-source.
OpenAI has asked the US government to permit AI companies to use copyrighted material for training to maintain America's leadership in AI development, as part of a proposal aligned with President Trump's upcoming "AI Action Plan."
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Apple marked its 49th anniversary by reaching a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. Despite recent tech stock volatility, Apple's shares surged 28% in 2024.
Sweden announced its largest military aid package to Ukraine worth $1.6 billion to help Kyiv strengthen its position in peace talks. The package includes new equipment and financial donations for Ukraine's defense industry, with Sweden's total support since 2022 reaching 80 billion crowns.
Britain's King Charles is resuming public duties this week after a brief hospital visit due to side effects from his cancer treatment. Following a restful weekend, he is preparing for a regular working week at Windsor Castle, with some appointments rescheduled ahead of his state visit to Italy.
Thomas Lubanga, a convicted war criminal, has announced the formation of the Convention for the Popular Revolution (CPR) in eastern Congo's Ituri province, posing a new security threat as Congo's army faces advances by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment