Health Talk: Revolutionizing caregiving with intelligent technology

Observed on December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities highlights the importance of building a more inclusive world for everyone – one where technology plays a vital role in breaking barriers.

This vision is being transformed into reality with groundbreaking innovations, such as human-machine symbiosis that combines biological and mechanical systems or intelligent robots capable of helping bedridden individuals with tasks like moving and showering.

Yu Hongliu, dean of the Institute of Intelligent Rehabilitation Engineering at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology and president of the International Convention and Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology, is working in this direction. From intelligent bionic prosthetics that feel like natural body parts to exoskeletons that help individuals with mobility challenges walk again, Yu's research is reshaping rehabilitation and caregiving.

Yu's team has pioneered innovations like visually assisted dining robot and multifunctional care systems, including wheelchairs that assist with daily activities like bathing and navigation. These devices, paired with AI-driven monitoring systems, not only improve quality of life but also reduce caregivers' workload.

Looking ahead, Yu predicts breakthroughs in artificial general intelligence, enabling robots to simulate human emotions and provide emotional companionship. With collaborative efforts across industries and academia, intelligent assistive devices have the potential to benefit people worldwide, he said.

{Cover photo designed by Yu Peng; video edited by Li Shuang)