미주중앙일보 - 미주 최대 한인 뉴스 미디어

Why Dots Inc. Partners with SERAC to Pilot Test AI-Powered Robot 'Momo' for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities in California

San Ramon, CA – November 22, 2024 – Why Dots Inc., a developer of AI-based social welfare robots (CEO Young Seop Yoon), announced that on November 22 (local time), it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SERAC (CEO Dr. Hyon Soo Lee), a research-based special education consulting company, in San Ramon, California, to conduct a pilot test of the robot 'Momo'. This agreement aims to introduce the robot 'Momo', which has been successfully operating in Korea, to the California region in the United States. The goal is to localize tailored services for individuals with developmental disabilities and improve the technology based on actual user feedback. Expanding the Success of Robot 'Momo' from Korea to the U.S. The robot 'Momo' is an intelligent robot that assists language development using AI and provides content for emotional understanding and cognitive stimulation. It utilizes voice-based conversational functions to help train the social skills of individuals with developmental disabilities. In Korea, 'Momo' has contributed to the emotional understanding and social improvement of over 200 children with developmental disabilities, proving its effectiveness. The pilot test will be conducted for approximately three months from December 2, 2024, to the end of February 2025. The test targets Americans and Korean Americans who are clients of SERAC. User feedback collected during the test will be used to enhance and localize the services of 'Momo' for the U.S. market. SERAC’s Expertise and Vision Founded by Dr. Hyon Soo Lee, a 1.5-generation immigrant who obtained her Ph.D. in Human Development and Psychology in Education at UCLA, SERAC has become a trusted consulting company supporting individuals with developmental disabilities across California. SERAC is known for its evidence-based consulting services in developmental disabilities and special education, wide network of community resources, and approach that promotes self-determination and community integration of individuals with developmental disabilities. Dr. Lee commented, "We are thrilled to introduce 'Momo,' an innovative service developed in Korea, to Korean-American families and local communities in the U.S. This collaboration allows us to combine SERAC's expertise with Why Dots Inc.’s technology to deliver cutting-edge services to SERAC’s clients." Why Dots Inc.'s Global Expansion Goals Why Dots Inc. aims to expand the experience and technological capabilities accumulated in Korea to the global market through this agreement. CEO Young Seop Yoon stated, "This pilot test is more than a technical validation; it is the first step toward bringing substantial changes to families with developmental disabilities in the U.S. Based on the feedback we receive, we will advance our technology, form local consortiums, and promote service expansion and fund acquisition." *Company Introduction Why Dots Inc. : Why Dots Inc. develops innovative welfare solutions for socially vulnerable groups, such as individuals with developmental disabilities and dementia patients, through artificial intelligence and robot technology. Its main products include the emotion-understanding robot 'Momo (MOMO)' for individuals with developmental disabilities and the dementia care robot 'PIO' for the elderly. In particular, 'Momo' is expanding its services in Korea to target various developmental disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), intellectual disabilities, and borderline intellectual functioning. SERAC : SERAC(Special Education Research, Advocacy & Consulting) is a California-based company that provides evidence-based consulting services to individuals with developmental disabilities and families across the U.S. Dr. Hyon Soo Lee, its founder, obtained her Ph.D. in Human Development and Psychology in Education at UCLA, and currently serves on the Advisory Committee at the California Department of Developmental Services. She actively advocates for minoritized communities, including Korean American families, and works with individuals with developmental disabilities to promote their self-determination and community integration through her unique consulting services. 박원중 기자 ([email protected])california disabilities disabilities proving pilot test ramon california

Daniel Orphanage Students with Disabilities Hold 'Flower Hour' Charity Art Exhibition with 'Be Friend' Team

There's an upcoming charity art exhibition in Seoul titled "Flower Hour," which showcases artwork from students with disabilities at the Daniel Orphanage. The event will be held at the 'S.ONE project' gallery from 2023 August 17th to 21st. Operated by the Daniel Social Welfare Corp., the Daniel Orphanage offers both a home and specialized education to orphans with intellectual disabilities. This exhibition is the culmination of a collaboration between the orphanage and 'Be Friend', a volunteer team from North London Collegiate School(NLCS) in Jeju, South Korea. Over the summer vacation, they conducted a 5-week art therapy program, comprising 10 sessions. Approximately 52 creative pieces, jointly crafted by 15 students from the orphanage and the 'Be Friend' team, will be on display. Minju Kang, a senior at NLCS Jeju and the team leader of 'Be Friend', shed light on the inspiration behind their theme. "Our art classes, over the span of five weeks, were centered on the theme of ‘flowers’ using various materials and encouraging the children to express their inner selves. Just as humans experience various stages in life, flowers too undergo different phases of growth," Kang said. She hopes visitors will find joy in the students' interpretation of the floral world, which mirrors their pure and resilient hearts. 'Be Friend' is a community service club of students from the North London Collegiate School in Jeju. Both Minju Kang and Yumin Lee led the art therapy sessions for this initiative. If this exhibition, ‘Flower Hour’, piques your interest, make sure to visit the S.ONE project gallery located at 35 GL B/D in Seocho District, Seoul, from August 17th to 21st. The admission ticket is $8, and all the funds raised in the exhibition will be donated to the Daniel Orphanage. 강동현 기자 [email protected] exhibition daniel orphanage art exhibition friend team

Year 12 students in North London Collegiate School(NLCS) Jeju Deliver a Donation of 1 Million Korean Won to a Foundation for People with Disabilities

Year 12 students in North London Collegiate School(NLCS) Jeju, an international school located in Jeju Island, delivered a donation of 1 million won, which encapsulates their love and warm-heartedness, to the Jeju Sinwon Welfare Foundation on Friday, March 3, 2023. This donation delivered to the foundation was raised from proceeds made by year 12 students by taking part in the production and sale of activity jackets as well as other individual donations. The Sinwon Welfare Foundation extended its gratitude to the students for their warm-hearted donation and is planning to use the donation for the welfare facilities which it operates for people with severe disabilities. Minju Kang, a year 12 student at NLCS Jeju who participated in the event, shared how she felt, “I am very pleased that a small kindness gathered from many students in my year group is used for people with severe disabilities, who are one of the most vulnerable groups in our society, and I will be someone who contributes to society by practicing the sharing I have learned.” 강동현 기자 [email protected] foundation welfare foundation international school million won