Care for the elderly instruct robots
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Special robotic machines with artificial intelligence will soon help in caring for lying-down old people.
This information was made public by researchers from British universities Middlesex and Bedfordshire. "Services of robots for the care of elderly patients who are not able to get out of bed themselves will become one of the most anticipated moments for social workers".
Among other things, this innovation will significantly reduce the burden on staff providing similar assistance in institutions for people with disabilities and elderly people, in hospitals and hospitals.
Presumably, "smart robots" will be trained in courtesy and good manners. They will be able to perform almost any task aimed at helping elderly people fulfill their everyday needs - from morning washing and taking medications to more complex manipulations.
According to experts, robotic assistance will be developed over the next three years. Many countries of the European Union, as well as the Japanese government, have already announced financing of such a program.
To date, similar robots - albeit with a relatively simplified program - perform uncomplicated work in Japanese hospitals. For example, they successfully distribute food to patients, and are also used to raise bedridden patients for washing and changing clothes.
Doctor of Science Irene Papadopoulos, who is an expert on transcultural care for patients, is sure: "Right now such an innovation will be very useful. As older people become more and more every year, health authorities are no longer able to cope with new loads. " Robotic assistants with intelligence will greatly facilitate the implementation of various procedures and manipulations, and will also make the provision of medical care more qualitative.
Over time, if there is a demand for such inventions, robots will be able to take care of the elderly and at home: this approach will make the elderly patients more comfortable and independent.
Experts say that this introduction of new technologies can not be considered a substitute for a person. This is just an improvement and relief of the existing system of assistance, despite the fact that the robots will be able to communicate using separate phrases and gestures. In addition, the machines will have the ability to evaluate and analyze the information they have seen in order to understand by certain symptoms what the sick person feels, what it hurts, etc.
All of the above information refers to robots, which are called "Pepper" - they are developed by Softbank Robotics and have been successfully used by thousands of people in Japan for several years.
One of the company's leaders, chief research officer Amit Humar Pandi explains that scientists representing Softbank Robotics are dreaming of creating a society in which robots and people will coexist and help each other, making the world more happy, healthy and harmonious.
[