Artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and extended reality (XR) technologies are rapidly transforming rehabilitation and caregiving settings. Rather than an era in which machines replace people, "empathic technologies" that jointly enhance human recovery and quality of life are emerging as a new welfare paradigm.

Amid this trend, the Korean Society of Rehabilitation Welfare Engineering (Chair Kwon Dae-gyu, Professor at Jeonbuk National University (JBNU)) recently announced on the 12th that it presented a blueprint for a next-generation rehabilitation welfare ecosystem integrating AI, robotics, and XR technologies at the 19th Annual Conference, held under the theme "The Future of Sustainable Rehabilitation Welfare Technologies: Physical AI, Care Robots, and XR Rehabilitation Convergence."

At the conference, Professor Jeong Bong-geun (USC School of Gerontology) delivered the keynote lecture "Innovating Longevity: Global AgeTech Movements and the Future for Korea," outlining global AgeTech trends and Korea's technological innovation challenges. Professor Jeong emphasized that "as societies age, human-centered technology design must proceed alongside the digital transformation of public welfare," stressing balanced development between technology and welfare.

Professor Park Chan-hee (Department of Physical Therapy, Jeonju University) also presented on "Mixed and Extended Reality for Rehabilitation," introducing cases of rehabilitation therapy content developed using mixed reality (MR) and extended reality (XR). He stated, "XR technologies that help patients perform rehabilitation exercises independently in virtual environments offer an alternative to overcome existing physical limitations."

Professor Jung Deok-young (Kyung Hee University Graduate School of East-West Medicine) presented on "The Current Status and Commercialization Strategies for Care Robots," raising the need for field validation and the establishment of institutional foundations in elderly care environments.

Professor Jung said, "Care robots will not spread on technical completeness alone," adding, "social acceptance and institutional trust must be built together for the industry ecosystem to grow."

The conference featured various sessions such as "Physical AI and Big Data Applications," "Age-Tech Innovative Technologies," "Smart Rehabilitation," "Practical Commercialization of Mobile Care Robots," and "Assistive Device Center Case Presentations," facilitating active discussion on collaborative ecosystems among industry, academia, research institutes, and medical institutions.

In particular, the care robot session shared empirical results from actual medical and long-term care settings and commercialization strategies, highlighting the importance of field-oriented technology development.

Chair Kwon Dae-gyu said, "This discussion has become a turning point in which Physical AI, XR, and care robots redefine rehabilitation and welfare," and added, "when technology develops in ways that support human dignity and independence, a truly inclusive welfare society will be realized."