How robot carers could be the future for lonely elderly people
Loneliness and social isolation are problems for many seniors, but studies have shown that help could come from social robots – autonomous robots trained to interact and communicate with humans
The film Robot and Frank imagined a near-future where robots could do almost everything humans could. The elderly title character was given a “robot butler†to help him continue living on his own. The robot was capable of everything from cooking and cleaning to socialising (and, it turned out, burglary).
This kind of science fiction may turn out to be remarkably prescient. As growing numbers of elderly people require care, researchers believe that robots could be one way to address the overwhelming demand. But while robots might be able to provide care and, in some cases, social interaction, many wonder if they really are the right solution to this uniquely human issue.
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/robot-carer-elderly-people-loneliness-ageing-population-care-homes-a8659801.html
