Humanoids: Robotics in elderly care

April 2019: Advances in material science and Artificial Intelligence now allow for the production of autonomous, soft, lightweight robots. These humanoids could find wide spread future application in elderly care and nursing as many countries face aging populations and staff shortages.

Information

New advances in artificial intelligence and robotics promote design methods using 3D printers and nylon lines to create humanoids with soft surface areas. These robots have deformable bodies, the ability to reshape when touched, and move like humans. The use of 3D printing and miniaturised motors to create soft surface areas allows robots to engage in safe human-robot interaction that includes social and physical contact.

Implications and opportunities

The ability to produce soft humanoids finds application in caregiving to elderly family members, nursing homes, combatting loneliness, and within the wider medical sector. Demographic changes and aging populations such as in Japan, Italy, and Germany, are causing staff shortages and create demand for 24-hour caregiving autonomous and lightweight soft robots. While the market is experiencing rapid growth, the high costs, safety concerns, regulatory issues, and challenges of user-friendliness represent barriers to large-scale market introduction.

Limitations

The production of soft humanoids remains at a pre-commercial stage and further research is needed to commercialise this technology, its use for at-home applications and in nursing homes.

Sources

Goswami, D., Liu, S., Pal, A., Silva, L. G., & Martinez, R. V. (2019). 3D‐Architected Soft Machines with Topologically Encoded Motion. Advanced Functional Materials, 1808713. doi:10.1002/adfm.201808713.

Reuters. (2019). Aging Japan: Robots may have role in future elder care. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-ageing-robots-widerimage/aging-japan-robots-may-have-role-in-future-of-elder-care-idUSKBN1H33AB