China’s Silver Economy Meets AI: A $28B Eldercare Tech Market by 2030

Why China’s Eldercare Tech Market Demands Attention Now

In 2024, China’s population aged 65 and older surpassed 220 million—approximately 16% of the total population. But the more significant inflection point lies just ahead: 2027–2028 will see a dramatic surge in the senior population as those born during China’s 1962 baby boom enter their late elderly years en masse.

Meanwhile, the caregiving workforce faces a chronic shortage. As of 2022, roughly 40 million elderly Chinese required partial or full nursing care, yet the country had only about 500,000 professional caregivers. This stark supply-demand imbalance has thrust AI and robotics-powered smart eldercare appliances in the spotlight as the most viable solution.

A February 2026 research report by Guosen Securities provides a comprehensive analysis of this Silver Economy × AI Appliances intersection. This article focuses on the most impactful finding: the eldercare robotics market size and the companies positioned to capture it.

---

The Eldercare Robotics Market: Over 200 Billion Yuan Potential

Why Eldercare Robots Are the Breakthrough Category

China’s population of elderly living alone is projected to double past approximately 30 million in 2021 to 60 million by 2030. The number of seniors requiring partial or full nursing care is expected to reach 50 million during the same period.

Traditional human-powered caregiving simply cannot scale to meet this demand. Accelerated by AI advances, product development is intensifying across three key categories:

• Daily Living Care: Automated toileting robots, bathing assistance systems
• Health & Safety: Fall detection cameras and radar, smart wearables
• Emotional Companionship: Companion robots, smart voice assistants

Market Size Projections: 590 Billion Yuan Domestic, Over 2 Trillion Yuan Including Western Markets

According to Guosen Securities’ projections, the eldercare robotics market in 2030 will reach the following scale:

Market	Population 65+ (millions)	Seniors Requiring Care (millions)	Device Penetration	Market Size (billion yuan)
China Domestic	289.2	49.2	30%	590
United States	78.0	11.7	50%	702
EU	100.0	15.0	50%	900
Total				~2,192

Assumptions: One robot serves five patients; unit price of 20,000 yuan in China, 60,000 yuan equivalent in Western markets

The threefold price differential between China and Western markets reflects underlying differences in healthcare spending. OECD data shows long-term care expenditure in developed Western nations exceeds 3% of GDP, compared to just 1–2% in developing economies.

---

Key Players and Technology Trends: Three Winning Strategies

1. Vertical Specialists: Deep Focus on Specific Pain Points

The most concrete product commercialization is occurring among specialized manufacturers targeting specific caregiving needs.

Osheng Electric (Illinois brand) has leveraged its core competencies in pneumatic machinery and vacuum systems to develop automated toileting robots. These devices automatically detect and process waste for bedridden patients, with certifications obtained in China, Japan, the US, and EU. The company has established steady sales in Taiwan and Japan, and was chosen in 2025 for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s Smart Eldercare Service Robot Pilot Project—a clear policy tailwind.

Rongta Health leads the AI massage and physiotherapy robotics segment. Its subsidiary Aerta has developed robots equipped with 3D vision and large-scale AI models that precisely locate acupressure points while automatically avoiding sensitive areas such as the spine. In 2026, the company will partner with Meituan to open pilot service locations in Shanghai.

2. AI Smart Mattresses: The Dormant Giant at Less Than 1% Penetration

China’s mattress market is a mature 65.9 billion yuan (approximately $9.2 billion) industry as of 2024. However, AI smart mattress penetration currently stands below 1%, representing enormous growth potential.

DeRUCCI (慕思股份), a leading brand, has deployed its proprietary Tidal Algorithm 2.0 in AI-enabled mattresses. The system detects resting posture within 20 milliseconds and provides over 6,000 individualized support adjustments. In the first half of 2025, DeRUCCI’s AI product revenue reached 121 million yuan—more than triple the year-ago period.

Sleemon (喜临门) has partnered with BrainCo, an emerging player in non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. Their AI mattresses optimize rest architecture through brainwave monitoring, pursuing a technology-forward differentiation strategy.

3. Ecosystem Builders: Winning Through Platform Scale

EZVIZ (萤石网络), China’s largest consumer security camera brand, operates a cloud platform with over 65 million monthly active users. Its EZVIZ Senior Care AI Agent integrates monitoring cameras, millimeter-wave radar, smart locks, and desktop interaction robots to deliver four core functions: activity tracking, health data collection, safety alerts, and voice assistance.

By 2030, EZVIZ projects stable annual sales of 14 million monitoring devices for elderly living alone, representing a 16% compound annual growth rate.

---

Implications for Global Business Professionals

Career Opportunities

China’s AI eldercare tech market presents significant opportunities for professionals with the following backgrounds:

• Medical device and care equipment experience: Chinese companies with US, EU, and Japan certifications are accelerating overseas expansion, driving demand for partnership development roles in international markets
• Smart home and IoT engineers: Companies such as EZVIZ are expanding open platforms, creating positions for API integration and ecosystem development
• Healthcare consultants with China expertise: Demand is surging for professionals who can bridge policy implementation and market execution between China and international markets

Business Strategy Implications

Three actionable strategies for international companies:

1. Technology licensing and partnerships: DeRUCCI and Sleemon’s AI rest technologies, along with Osheng’s care robotics, show strong compatibility with aging markets in Japan, Europe, and North America. OEM/ODM partnerships and technology licensing negotiations merit serious consideration.

2. Ecosystem participation in the China market: Premium eldercare brands in Japan and Western markets enjoy strong quality perceptions in China. integration with ecosystems being built by EZVIZ, Midea, and similar platforms offers a viable entry strategy.

3. Policy intelligence gathering: The January 2026 Measures to Cultivate Eldercare Service Providers and Promote the Silver Economy, jointly issued by eight ministries including the Ministry of Civil Affairs, opens doors for foreign participation. Continuous monitoring of subsidies and pilot project opportunities is essential.

---

Key Takeaways

1. 2027–2028 marks the tipping point: The imminent surge in China’s 65+ population will trigger explosive demand for AI-powered eldercare appliances. The monitoring device market alone is projected to reach 14 million annual units by 2030 with 16% growth.

2. Eldercare robotics represents a 200+ billion yuan global opportunity: Beyond China’s domestic 590 billion yuan market, Western markets command prices three times higher. Chinese companies pursuing international expansion will increasingly intersect with markets worldwide.

3. AI smart mattresses are the largest untapped segment: With penetration below 1% in a 65.9 billion yuan mature market, AI-enabled products commanding premium pricing (10,000+ yuan) offer exceptional growth potential. DeRUCCI’s 300%+ revenue growth in H1 2025 serves as a leading indicator.

---

→ Related: China Smart Home Market Trends | China AI Industry Report | AWE 2026 Highlights