While developing technology, we must take care of a couple of things like what we ‘can’ do with all our scientific resources and knowledge, and where should we draw a line and must not broach that area.
Care Robotics is not something new. Scientists and experts have been trying for decades to develop robots that can replace human emotion and intelligence.
We already have achieved extremely advanced robotic technology where robots take care of critical surgeries, and we have home appliances that work on the robotic principle.
Tesla and SpaceX’s CEO Elon Musk has raised his concerns several times about the impending future of the human race that will be completely dominated by robots.
While this may be quite far-fetched and we may not have reached there yet, however, this is true that with technologies like Care robotics, scientists are trying to replace a few things that are essentially ‘human’ and are hard to achieve with machines.
The prospects of Care Robotics in Caregiving for Elderly People
Scientists and experts believe that robotic technology can help people of age and determination to live their lives comfortably.
What does an elderly person want?
Care, regular health check-ups, someone to keep a check on their day-to-day activities to prevent them from encountering harmful situations, and someone who can keep an eye on their cognitive-behavioral health and any kind of changes with that.
Now, in the West, the culture of old homes is prevalent, and due to some socio-dynamic changes, in the present world, the life span of people over 50 years has increased. We have more people who come in the age-bracket of ‘elderly’ than we have in the younger lot. And this gap is going to increase with more people over 65 years of age towards the headwind, and lesser young people at the tailwind of the society.
This is one reason why we have a decline in the number of young caregivers in comparison to the number of people who need care, supervision, and support to live their daily lives and to carry out all their necessary chores that require their physical and mental alertness. Considering all of this, it seems that what the scientists are hoping to achieve with Care robotics is nothing wrong and actually a much-needed response.
The robots can keep a regular check on our elders. Their health status can be regularly monitored, and they can receive instructions, motivation, and tips to carry out their tasks easily. Aside from this, robots can help to maintain their medical records, connect them to their doctors in time. If they are feeling lonely and want to call someone, these robots can help them connect with their loved ones.
So, the prospects are endless, and the possibilities are presenting at every nook and corner.
However, the question here arises, that who will monitor the information that these robots will have about these elderly people? Who is going to take the responsibility of keeping all their health and behavioral data secure?
Besides, who will control and monitor the level of surveillance these robots will subject our elderly to?
All of these questions and concerns raise a serious alarm and make us realize that everything is not so hunky-dory, and scientists must provide answers to these questions before subjecting people to advanced robotic technology that may help in some ways, but may falter in many others!
The Aspect of Human Replacement
It is not possible to emulate human emotional intelligence. You can assign the task to a robot to monitor your grandmother’s every activity, but you cannot command the robot to give them emotional support and love when they need them. Although scientists are trying to train models with human emotions and are trying to get them to become as ‘humane’ as possible. However, it is not an easy feat. In fact, it is very tricky and has loads of implications and serious concerns. The basic bond between two humans, one caregiver, and one receiver cannot be emulated with one human and one robot.
Care Robots can only Alleviate some of our Burdens
We must not think that robots can do everything. They can be used to help to alleviate the burden of house chores so that the caregivers can get more free time and energy to help their elderly patients or family members. But that is that. Care robotics should not be considered as an alternate way to free yourself from taking care and providing love and empathy to another human being.
I’m Ava Paul, an experienced news website author with a special focus on the entertainment section. Over the past five years, I have worked in various positions of media and communication at World Stock Market. My experience has given me extensive knowledge in writing, editing, researching and reporting on stories related to the entertainment industry.
