Employing a care ethics lens to examine the use of socially assistive robots in meeting the social and cognitive needs of older adults

Health systems globally are facing a crisis of care for a rapidly aging population. All countries face challenges ensuring that their health and social systems can accommodate this demographic shift. One proposed solution gaining substantial traction is the use of assistive healthcare robots. In particular, the category of socially assistive robots (SARs) is presented as being uniquely positioned to address the unique psycho-social care needs of aging persons. To date, ethical critiques of the use of assistive healthcare robotics, and in particular social robots, have not closely examined the purported care relationship between such robots and their users. Drawing upon the work of care ethics scholars, I argue that authentic care relies upon capacities inherently reciprocal and responsive in nature, which ultimately precludes socially assistive robots from being useful caring tools

Learning to self-manage by intelligent monitoring, prediction and intervention

Despite the growing prevalence of multimorbidities, current digital self-management approaches still prioritise single conditions. The future of outof- hospital care requires researchers to expand their horizons; integrated assistive technologies should enable people to live their life well regardless of their chronic conditions. Yet, many of the current digital self-management technologies are not equipped to handle this problem. In this position paper, we suggest the solution for these issues is a model-aware and data-agnostic platform formed on the basis of a tailored self-management plan and three integral concepts - Monitoring (M) multiple information sources to empower Predictions (P) and trigger intelligent Interventions (I). Here we present our ideas for the formation of such a platform, and its potential impact on quality of life for sufferers of chronic conditions

Learning to Self-Manage by Intelligent Monitoring, Prediction and Intervention

Despite the growing prevalence of multimorbidities, current digital self-management approaches still prioritise single conditions. The future of out-of-hospital care requires researchers to expand their horizons; integrated assistive technologies should enable people to live their life well regardless of their chronic conditions. Yet, many of the current digital self-management technologies are not equipped to handle this problem. In this position paper, we suggest the solution for these issues is a model-aware and data-agnostic platform formed on the basis of a tailored self-management plan and three integral concepts - Monitoring (M) multiple information sources to empower Predictions (P) and trigger intelligent Interventions (I). Here we present our ideas for the formation of such a platform, and its potential impact on quality of life for sufferers of chronic conditions

A roboethics framework for the development and introduction of social assistive robots in elderly care

There is an emerging “aging phenomenon” worldwide. It is likely that we will require the introduction of assistive technologies that can assist caregivers in the exercise of elderly care. Such technologies should be designed in ways that promote high levels of human dignity and quality of life through the aging process. Social Assistive Robots (SARs) demonstrate high potential for complementing elderly care when it comes to cognitive assistance, entertainment, communication and supervision. However such close Human Robotics Interactions (HRIs) encompass a rich set of ethical scenarios that need to be addressed before SARs are introduced into mass markets. To date the HRI benchmarks of “Imitation”, “Safety”, “Autonomy”, “Privacy”, “Scalability”, “Social success” and “Understanding of the domain” are the only guidelines to inform SARs developers when developing robotic prototypes for human assistance. However such HRI benchmarks are broad and lack of theoretical background to understand potential ethical issues in elderly care. Further, there is little guidance for either developers or those involved in the provision of care, regarding the appropriate introduction of SARs.In this research the current HRI benchmarks are reviewed alongside the core ethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy and justice, together with a social care ethos. Based on such interpretation, practical robotics workshops were conducted in five care and extra care institutions with the direct participation of elderly groups, caregivers and relatives. “In-situ” robotics demonstrations, informal interviews and observations were conducted, investigating human behaviours, attitudes, expectations, concerns, and levels of acceptance towards the introduction of SARs in elderly care settings. Following a thematic analysis of the findings, a roboethics framework is proposed to support the research and development of SARs. The developed framework highlights the importance of selection, categorization and completion of relevant HRI benchmarks, HRI templates, HRI supervision schemes and ethical specifications for SARs applications