The care of elderly people is an ever-enlarging responsibility that may become a critical societal burden. Increasingly, robotic innovations are being incorporated into senior care – particularly as an assistive care solution for elderly people who are living alone or have impaired cognition.
Socially assistive robots utilize AI and machine learning, computer vision and sensors, and high-performance mechanical hardware supported by robotic operation systems, which empower them to perceive, understand, and move. Socially assistive robots can respond to their environment, comprehend voice commands, and interpret human facial, vocal, and bodily expression – enabling them to interact verbally and physically with humans with empathy. Materials used to build the physical humanoid form ensure safe robot-to-human interaction.
Already commercially available, socially assistive robots – a type of general-purpose robot – are designed to provide social connection, emotional support, and physical assistance with daily tasks, as well as aid with activities such as personal care for the frail.
One focus of the ongoing European ENRICHME project is to investigate the benefits and challenges of socially assistive robots’ assistance for seniors living with mild cognitive impairment. Selected candidates are assigned a socially assistive robot to live with them for the extended study period. Such studies hope to unveil and remove potential barriers to the home adoption of socially assistive robots.
Evidence of socially assistive robots’ benefits in various care settings includes:
Evolving robotics, such as socially assistive robots, can fundamentally change the care ecosystem and possibly society. Their effective use may help to avoid and reduce injuries, lengthen the span of independent living, and help stave off early-onset dementia and severe disability, thus altering mortality and impairment outcomes.
They may be able to provide continuous user data, subject to consent, to personalize risk profiles. After a severe illness or surgical procedure, socially assistive robots may enhance the rehabilitative and recovery process, especially if basic health monitoring is added. While hurdles to domestic socially assistive robots’ adoption remain, the potential benefits are appealing.
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