Wearable robot services for the “Young Old” generation are emerging as a new growth engine for companies. Through technologies that reduce the physical burden of activity and support a healthy old age, firms aim to attract Young Old consumers, who have risen as a key consumption group.

According to the fashion industry on the 6th, Fashion Group Hyungji has identified “senior wearable robots” as a future growth driver and is accelerating full-scale commercialization. Hyungji Elite participated in “RAAI 2025 (Robotics, Automation and AI International Conference)” held at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore on 20 December last year to pursue global technology cooperation and strategic review. Hyungji Elite has formalized its entry into the senior wearable robot market as a next-generation business that combines AI-based robot technology with its workwear business. It has also applied for the trademark “hyungjiROBOTICS.” As Fashion Group Hyungji is a leader in senior fashion with brands such as Crocodile Lady, its goal is to apply wearable robot technologies to everyday clothing so that seniors can live more comfortably.

The financial sector is also accelerating the expansion of customized services for older adults. In November last year, Hana Bank launched the “Hana The Next Wearable Robot Service” exclusively for seniors in collaboration with wearable robot company Angel Robotics. Through this service launch, Hana Bank plans to continuously expand senior-focused offerings such as “support for wearable robot purchase benefits,” “expansion of robot-related financial service areas,” and “medium- to long-term specialized financial products.” A Hana Financial Group official said, “By building a future-oriented financial model that combines AI and robot technologies, the group will lead financial services that improve the quality of life for older adults.”

A wearable robot “WIM S,” developed by the wearable and humanoid robot startup We Robotics, has also recently been attracting attention among seniors. WIM S is an ultra-lightweight, walking-assistance wearable robot worn on the waist and thighs, providing both gait support and exercise functions. At Korea’s first robot gait exercise center established by We Robotics, older adults whose muscle strength has declined after surgery and others requiring rehabilitation exercise can wear the robot and receive personalized exercise sessions under the guidance of professional trainers. It is also used for health management by linking with a dedicated app that analyzes walking speed, muscle strength and balance.

As of last year, people aged 65 or older accounted for 21.21% of the total population, and the development of customized solutions that combine AI and robot technologies for the Young Old demographic is expected to accelerate further. An industry official said, “As society enters a super-aged phase and the influence of the senior population grows, dedicated services and products utilizing AI and advanced technologies are beginning to emerge in earnest across various sectors.”

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