In a pioneering move to address Singapore's rapidly aging population, the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) in collaboration with PCF Sparkle Care has launched a groundbreaking research study deploying AI social robots in eldercare centres. Starting February 2026, these diminutive yet sophisticated machines—known as Lovot and Kebbi—will interact with around 70 seniors across four centres, aiming to foster social engagement and combat loneliness, particularly among those with mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
Singapore is on the cusp of becoming a super-aged society by 2026, with over 21 percent of its population aged 65 and above. This demographic shift places immense pressure on eldercare systems, where social isolation emerges as a critical challenge. Traditional caregiving, while invaluable, often struggles to meet the emotional needs of seniors living independently or in group settings. Enter AI social robots: autonomous devices programmed to recognize faces, interpret emotions, and respond with empathetic gestures, offering companionship without the fatigue of human interaction.
Understanding Singapore's Elderly Care Landscape
Singapore's eldercare framework is multifaceted, encompassing community-based services, nursing homes, and active aging programs. PCF Sparkle Care, a key player under the People's Action Party Community Foundation, operates centres like those in Kreta Ayer, Bukit Panjang, Braddell Heights, and Eunos, providing day care for Pioneer and Merdeka Generation seniors. These facilities emphasize holistic well-being, blending physical activities, cognitive stimulation, and social events.
Statistics underscore the urgency: By 2030, dementia cases are projected to nearly double to 152,000, while one in four Singaporeans will be over 65. Loneliness affects up to 30 percent of community-dwelling seniors, correlating with higher risks of depression, cognitive decline, and mortality. Government initiatives like the Action Plan for Successful Ageing promote technology integration, but scalable solutions remain elusive. This SUSS-led study positions higher education at the forefront of innovation, bridging academia with real-world application.
For professionals in gerontology or social sciences, such research opens doors to higher education jobs in interdisciplinary fields. Explore opportunities at institutions like SUSS via our Singapore academic listings.
The SUSS-PCF Sparkle Care Research Initiative: Objectives and Design
Led by Associate Professor Kelvin Tan, Head of Applied Ageing Studies at SUSS, the six-month study deploys three pairs of robots as "junior care programme coordinators." Their role? Facilitate ice-breaking during group conversations, games, and multi-generational events. Data collection involves robot cameras, senior interviews, and surveys to measure social engagement metrics like interaction frequency and emotional responses.
The methodology is rigorous: Robots integrate seamlessly into daily routines, prompting shy participants to join activities. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will quantify improvements in openness and cognitive function. This builds on SUSS's prior work, including a 2024 study on Lovot robots for single older adults, which revealed heightened acceptance through human-like mimicry and routine learning.
- Target participants: Quiet seniors, dementia patients, ~70 total
- Duration: Six months from February 2026
- Evaluation: Quantitative (engagement logs) + qualitative (perception surveys)
- Ethical safeguards: Data privacy, consent, human oversight
This academic endeavour highlights SUSS's commitment to applied research, attracting faculty and research jobs in AI ethics and human-robot interaction.
Spotlight on the Robots: Lovot and Kebbi in Action
Lovot, developed by Japan's Groove X, is a knee-high wheeled companion costing about S$14,000. It flaps arms, emits baby-like coos when hugged, and learns user preferences via facial recognition and tone analysis. Kebbi, from Taiwan's Nuwa Robotics at S$2,000, complements with agile movements and interactive play.
In prior trials at PCF Sparkle Care Tampines (2025), seniors initially wary began singing dialect songs to Lovot within a week. Dementia patients reminisced, unlocking memories. "A lot of our children are grown up... This could help alleviate loneliness," shared Madam Choo Poh Choo, 80. PCF COO Andy Seet noted: "Seniors who did not talk at all suddenly began talking or even singing."
These robots exemplify socially assistive robotics (SAR), defined as AI systems enhancing human well-being through natural interaction. Step-by-step: 1) Detection (cameras/sensors), 2) Analysis (AI emotion recognition), 3) Response (gestures/sounds), 4) Learning (adaptation over time).
Building on Prior Research and Trials
SUSS's ecosystem of studies provides a strong foundation. The 2024 LOVOT project with community singles showed robots evoking maternal instincts and daily comfort. Collaborations with HKU and Orange Valley tested in nursing homes.
Elsewhere, Duke-NUS Medical School's Dexie humanoid robot boosted dementia patient engagement by 32 percent in SingHealth trials, reallocating staff time. NTU's wearable fall-prevention robots and A*STAR's human-like aides further enrich Singapore's robotics portfolio. These converge in the current study, validating scalability.
Read more on SUSS's LOVOT research.
Potential Impacts: Enhancing Social Well-Being and Efficiency
Success could transform eldercare: Increased participation reduces isolation, potentially lowering healthcare costs. Robots handle repetitive engagement, freeing staff for complex care—mirroring Dexie's 25 percent productivity gain.
- Benefits for seniors: Emotional support, cognitive stimulation
- For caregivers: Reduced workload (20-30 percent in similar deployments)
- Societal: Sustainable aging-in-place
Stakeholders like Minister Josephine Teo emphasize honoring seniors' contributions. Yet, human judgment remains irreplaceable, as Seet affirms.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations in Human-Robot Interaction
Deployment isn't without hurdles. Seniors may resist tech; privacy concerns arise from cameras. Assoc Prof Tan's team addresses via training and anonymization. Culturally, Singapore's collectivist ethos favors family care, requiring robots to augment, not supplant.
Broader risks: Over-reliance, algorithmic bias in emotion detection. Solutions include diverse training data and hybrid models. Higher ed plays key: SUSS trains future experts via lecturer jobs in ethics.
For in-depth analysis, see CNA coverage.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Real-World Voices
From Madam Choo's relief to Seet's optimism, anecdotes abound. Assoc Prof Tan envisions data-driven permanency: "Will robots stay? Evidence will decide." Caregivers report joy in seniors' transformations.
Multi-perspective: Policymakers push tech; academics rigor; seniors practicality.
Implications for Higher Education and Robotics in Singapore
This study elevates SUSS in gerontechnology, fostering PhD programs and industry ties. Singapore universities like NTU, NUS lead globally, with centres like NTU's S$45M robotics hub.
Opportunities abound: Craft your academic CV for roles in AI-health intersections. Singapore's university jobs scene thrives.
Future Outlook: Scaling Social Robots in Eldercare
Positive outcomes could expand to homes, influencing policy. Global trends align: Japan's Paro seals, Europe's Pepper. By 2030, hybrid care norms.
Actionable insights: Researchers, pilot locally; educators, integrate SAR curricula; caregivers, trial companions.
Conclusion: Pioneering Compassionate Tech
The SUSS-PCF study heralds empathetic AI's role in dignified aging. Stay informed via Rate My Professor, seek higher ed jobs, or explore career advice. For Singapore academics, visit university jobs and post a job.
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