Pilot program launches at 40 senior centers in Gongdeok-dong and Sungsan 2-dong, with potential expansion under review
AI automates accounting tasks, while large-font displays, voice guidance and photo-based maintenance reporting aim to ease operations
Mapo-gu is introducing an AI-powered smart management system to make senior centers more convenient for elderly residents.
The district launched a three-month pilot of the "Gyeongrodang Smart Management System," built on the "Maeumsallime" app, at 40 senior centers in Gongdeok-dong and Sungsan 2-dong starting Oct. 1.
The initiative is part of the district's "Senior Center Modernization Project" and is designed to ease the administrative burden on center officers who struggle with accounting and facility management amid an aging population, while using AI and other advanced technology to improve operational transparency and convenience for seniors.
Ahead of the pilot launch, the district held a training session Tuesday for center officers and members of the Mindeullae volunteer unit, which provides services by visiting senior centers, to ensure smooth adoption of the system.
The system consolidates information on each center's finances, facilities and assets, giving administrators a comprehensive view of operations at a glance.
It features AI-based automatic receipt recognition and expense analysis and categorization, streamlining accounting tasks previously handled manually and enabling more systematic management of subsidy disbursements and settlements.
Ease of use for elderly members was also a priority. The app's AI voice guidance function lets users check center information, announcements and program schedules by audio, while large-font text and a simplified interface make the app accessible to seniors less comfortable with digital devices.
Facility management will also become more straightforward. When a breakdown or damage occurs at a center, staff can register the issue along with a photo, allowing district officials to assess the situation accurately and respond quickly.
Over the three-month pilot, the district plans to evaluate real-world usability and identify areas for improvement, incorporating feedback from seniors and center staff before considering an expansion of the system to other senior centers.
"Modernizing senior centers means not only upgrading the facilities themselves, but transforming the very way they are used and operated," Mapo-gu District Mayor Yoo Dong-kyun said. "We will use the smart management system to improve transparency and efficiency, and create an environment where seniors can enjoy their centers with greater ease."
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