Picture: Getty ImagesĮven so, there are real concerns that robots could put carers out of work and replace the ‘ human touch’. We need to be wary of the potential for robots to undermine genuine human care. Having a low-risk workforce on standby for crises, like COVID-19, could help protect our most vulnerable. Nonetheless, robot care that resembles humanistic care might provide comfort to some sufferers. Many people could be repelled by humanlike care robots, including people who distrust technology. They can only simulate human aged care workers, nurses or doctors. Their bodies may resemble human bodies and their gestures and words may appear to express human understanding and sympathy.īut, as we know, robots do not have actual human bodies or human understanding. Some humanoid robots may compellingly mimic humanistic care. These kinds of expressive acts can comfort and console partly by reminding the other of their own precious humanity. Humanistic care could involve showing human solidarity and expressing to a sick or isolated person the idea that they are a fellow traveller in life. A ‘humanistic’ caregiver does not only provide functional care and display some concern, but also shows human forms of deep, sympathetic understanding. For example, there seems to be something special about care that is distinctively or uniquely human. Yet, humanoid care robots also cause skepticism and alarm. The programmed baby seal “Paro” with aged care residents. HUMANISTIC CAREĪrtificial intelligence should enable future robots to recognise individuals and their emotions, and to engage in more natural conversations.Ĭare robots may begin to resemble the kind nurse who speaks reassuring words to comfort anxious patients. Future robots could also have faces that are more expressive of moods and feelings. Instead of having shiny hard surfaces, they may have soft and supple ‘skin’. They are potentially less obtrusive than humans and might afford patients some more privacy and dignity in washing or using the bathroom.Īnd as technology progresses, robots will become more lifelike. You wouldn't hit a dog, so why would you kill one in Minecraft?Ĭare robots are efficient and untiring. Research suggests that robots like Paro, the fluffy baby seal robot who provides “unconditional love for residents with dementia”, can help aged care residents to feel less anxious or lonely and lift their spirits. So, could robots also provide affective care as well as functional care? Often function and affective care go together – for example, when a nurse takes our vital signs while kindly asking us how we are feeling. The robot “Kasper” (pictured) was developed with the aim of helping children living with autism. Our recently published study, ‘Robots and the Possibility of Humanistic Care’, examines the potential of robots to provide not just functional care – like cleaning, lifting, feeding, and taking blood pressure – but also the affective care we tend to think only a human can provide – like comfort, reassurance or company to anxious, ill or lonely people. While Kasper, a friendly childlike robot, helps children on the autism spectrum develop their social skills. RIBA, with its friendly bear-like face, can pick people up and carry them around a hospital or care home. Care-O-bot has pivoting joints and can fetch objects and answer questions. Robots are already used in homes and healthcare systems around the world.ĮlliQ is a talking bot with a tablet designed to interact with older people. Some people may have encountered simple types of care robots.
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