Aging with robots: a brief review on eldercare automation

Abstract

Robotic solutions designed to cater to the needs of the elderly, commonly known as eldercare robots or nursing robots, hold the promise of delivering intelligent elderly care, alleviating societal caregiving pressures, and reducing financial burdens on nations. Scholars across various disciplines have delved into the realm of eldercare robotics from different perspectives. Four types of robots at the design level are currently used in the elderly care industry: anthropomorphic, zoomorphic, cartoon, and mechanical-functional. They can play such roles as assistants, companions, and even surrogate pets, providing support for the elderly’s daily routines, cognitive enhancement, and emotional well-being. Acceptance of eldercare robots hinges on three key factors: technical attributes, user-specific characteristics, and the surrounding social environment. The utilization of eldercare robots has the potential to positively impact various aspects of the elderly population, such as their physiological health, cognitive abilities, psychological well-being, and social interactions. However, it can also lead to social isolation, reduced autonomy, increased sense of objectification, blurred responsibility attribution, and tendencies towards deceptive and childish behavior. Additionally, eldercare robots also influence healthcare professionals in terms of workload, working conditions, job satisfaction and sense of purpose, both positively and negatively. This paper examines these research findings within the context of theories in communication, technology ethics, and medical ethics, shedding light on the multifaceted landscape of eldercare robotics.