USA TODAY – NEW YORK—IBM, Apple and Japan’s largest employer Japan Post are joining forces to deliver iPads and software on those tablets to help improve senior’s lives in Japan. Under a pilot program kicking off in the second half of this year, the companies plan to deliver up to 5 million iPads to seniors there by 2020.
The global elderly population will increase from 11.7% in 2013 to more than 21% by 2050. In the U.S., 10,000 people turn 65 every day.
The custom built apps targeted at the older population under the partnership will help folks remember to take medication, manage doctor’s visits, handle household maintenance chores, monitor diet and exercise and stay in touch with loved ones who live miles away, often via Apple’s FaceTime video calls.
“Today is about reimagining life for what is the largest generation that has been in history and that is the seniors,” says IBM CEO Ginni Rometty. Apple CEO Tim Cookcalls this a “groundbreaking initiative,” one with “global implications” that goes beyond Japan.
In Japan, there are 33 million seniors, representing about 25% of the country’s population.
Under Cook, Apple has been addressing health care issues through such recent initiatives as HealthKit and ResearchKit. And Cook pointed out that iPads include built-in accessibility tools, such things as closed captioning, voiceovers and dictation.
Today’s announcement advances a business partnership that Apple forged with IBM last July. To date, the partnership has produced 22 apps in 11 industries.
“The most important thing that you’re working on is what is about to come out,” Cook said when asked which of those apps has been the most significant to date.
Envisioning Group analyst Richard Doherty says “this is probably the first of many initiatives between Apple and IBM to link trusted communities.”
Cook and Rometty were joined on stage at IBM Watson headquarters in New York City by Japan Post’s soon to be 80 year old CEO Taizo Nishimuro. Japan Post handles banking, insurance and Japan’s postal service. Under Japan Post’s fee-based Watch Over service, employees check in on elderly customers on behalf of their families to help ensure the elder’s well-being.
Cook says that Japan Post brings a unique footprint in Japan. Duplicating the service in the U.S. might take regional efforts, he said.
Article by Edward Baig for USA TODAY
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