Smart home tech makes inroads into China’s emerging elderly care market

Zhao chats with her sister as she performs the video chat function provided by Lanchuang's elderly care system during a media visit organised by the company in Weifang, China. — Photos: Reuters

WEIFANG, China: Charging elderly clients just 1 yuan (59sen) a day, little-known Lanchuang Network Technology Corp has embarked on one of the most ambitious undertakings in aged care by a private sector firm in China.

Provided with a setup box, a webcam paired with a TV set and "Xiaoyi", a Siri-like voice assistant, customers gain access to telemedicine and an SOS system as well as for-pay services that include housekeeping and meal deliveries.