This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Robots should be used to help resolve social care crisis, academics say
Researchers from Middlesex University and the University of Bedfordshire are set to assist in building personal social robots which can be pre-programmed to suit the person they are aiding.
The humanoid robots, know as Pepper Robots, will be designed to posses a cultural awareness and a good bedside manner, and the international team behind the project have claimed the machines could help solve the elderly care crisis.
The scheme is being funded by the EU and Japanese governments and the robots are hoped to be developed within three years.
Professor Irena Papadopoulos, expert in trans-cultural nursing, said: "As people live longer, health systems are put under increasing pressure.
"In the UK alone, 15,000 people are over 100 years of age and this figure will only increase.
"Assistive, intelligent robots for older people could relieve pressures in hospitals and care homes as well as improving care delivery at home and promoting independent living for the elderly.
"It is not a question of replacing human support but enhancing and complementing existing care."
She added: "We are starting with care homes and with people who are semi-independent living in sheltered housing, but we do believe that in the future the robots would become acceptable for people to have in their own homes."
Dr Sanjeev Kanoria, executive chairman of the company producing the robots, Softbank Robotics, said: “Robots can support care workers by helping to reduce errors in medication and assisting them with advanced technology to help vulnerable residents, live safer independent lives in care homes and at home."
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