Final Blog: Robotics in Healthcare

Robotics in Healthcare

I got my inspiration for this topic "Robotics in Healthcare" from two things. First was a from an recent Bloomberg magazine news article "Life, Or Something Like It", where the article talked about how Mark Sagar, who “mastered the art of creating super-lifelike faces” in Spider-Man, is now working to build people from the inside out. He is creating a virtual baby that thinks and acts like a human baby. This article fascinates me as it's something that I would see in an Sci-Fi movie. It also corresponds to another article I read about a realistic-looking humanoid  machine named "Nadine" that was created by scientists in Singapore at Nanyang Technology University. Nadine was created to transform a virtual human, from within a computer, into a physical being that is able to observe and interact with other humans. She currently works as a receptionist at the university.

My other inspiration for the topic comes from this short clip on a robotic seal in healthcare for elderly in Japan, that I watched in my other class, that made me want to learn more about the use of AI or robotics in healthcare systems, especially as care and companionship for the elderly. So my goal for the project was to research the different types of robotics used in healthcare, and explore the ethical and moral concerns behind using robotics for elderly people. I wanted to make sure that this new technology could be of help for the future of healthcare.

During my research, I discovered that there are a lot of different types of robotics that are currently being developed, or are already used in hospitals. I learned a lot about the ethical concerns of having a robotic companion, and was puzzled at why people would want to have a robotic cat, instead of a real cat. It was fascinating to see how the robotics are diverse, and used in all kinds of companionships. They could bear the appearance of a piece of furniture, to more robotic-like, to looking like a real human or animal. It showed me how technology has evolved, and robotics are slowly becoming more human-like that it would be hard to differentiate between a real human and a humanoid. There is even the fear that robotics would eventually learn how to feel and want to have their own rights.

Robotics is still evolving in healthcare. Scientists are looking into ways to develop more human-like robots to help communicate with elders, and children. In the future, we need to make sure that we don't depend on the robots fully. We, humans should still double check the data, make sure that privacy concerns are not leaked, and spend more time with the elderly. The robotics companions are still helpful, and easier for elders or people with dementia to communicate with, but we should still try to listen and help the elders. 

Survey questions and answers

Survey questions:

• What do you think about having robotic companion for the elderly or disabled people?
• Would you in the future,  want to have a robotic companion?

Follow-up questions:

• What about the moral /ethical issue that we are pushing robotic companions to take over our responsibility as humans?
• Would you still rather a robotic companion versus a real life animal pet?

Answers

FOR it:

• “When I am old and disabled, I would prefer to have a robot to take care of me instead of a human being as humans would lose patience. They could also get annoyed  by the condition, environment, or even by the weather. Their mood could easily be changed, and could be frustrated at the elderly which leads them to bully the elderly.”
• “It’s unique. There’s also less work to take care of, compared to an actual pet companion.”
• “If it keeps the elderly company or makes them happy, it’s fine. As long as the old people are getting benefits from it, it’s fine.”

AGAINST it:

• “It’s kind of immoral, because I rather have somebody there instead of an object with no emotions.”
• “I would much rather a dog over a robot, because they have emotions.”

Mixed feelings:

• “Not the best choice, but I will take it if that’s the only choice I have.”
• “Some people may be allergic to animals, so it may be best for them to have a robotic companion.”
• “I prefer a real animal as a pet, but I would prefer a robot as my caretaker.”
• “I think humanity's dependence on robots will make society as a whole dumber, but they might make great companions for old people and the disabled.”
• “At some point, robots would become smart enough that we might have to question ‘robo-rights’ , but a robot caretaker might be better because it’s less likely to make mistakes.”
• “Great assistant and modern technology like Siri, Cortana, Alexa,etc, can be even more helpful when people need to talk. But they can never be a perfect substitute for human beings when elderly or disabled people need someone who have emotions, and someone who really cares for them.”

Other robotic companions

Other robotic companions

• Robotic companion pet cat developed by toy maker Hasbro: keeps lonely people company.
• 
• ElliQ: robotic companion that helps the elderly remain active and engaged.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URcuVfzwB4g
• It's like a piece of furniture or lamp that sits on a table conversing with you. It uses "natural" communication methods--including "body language"--to convey emotions while using sounds and lights and voice to express itself. It consists of two elements. "social director" that strives to have human characteristics, and an accompanying screen like a table that displays content.
• 
• AvatarMind's iPal: designed as an educational and entertaining friend for children and elderly people.
• It can sing, dance, navigate a maze, and interact with people. It is intended to serve as a learning and safety companion for children.
• Parents can also use iPal to keep an eye on children wherever they are at, and even use the robot to interact with their children remotely.
• It is intended to serve as a learning and safety companion for children. It is also designed to get kids off the couch and be more interested in science and technology.
• 
• Buddy: for seniors who live alone
• 
• France's RoboCARE-Milo:  lead group games, including memory quizzes and group exercises or singing activities to keep nursing home residents engaged.
• 
• 
  

 

https://venturebeat.com/2017/01/12/intuition-robotics-elliq-help-the-aged/

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35310200

http://www.bluefrogrobotics.com/en/buddy-elderly-senior-robot-alone/

https://venturebeat.com/2015/11/09/frances-robocare-bets-robots-can-keep-elderly-healthier-and-teach-the-french-to-speak-better-english/

Robots get to work

Robotics in Japan's Healthcare

"Want a Better Health Care System? Check Out Japan"

The largest group of those with caregiving needs is the aging population, which is rapidly expanding throughout the world. The oldest populations are seen in Japan, and Europe, but other, “newer” nations, such as the U.S., are rapidly catching up.

There may be no topic in robotics that generates more attention, moral concerns and controversy, than the use of caregiving robots. One of the reasons for this occurrence could be how intimate the caregiving robots are with their patient than any regular caretaker. However, nations such as Japan, facing a labor shortage of caregivers, are thankful to able to consider capable robots as a caregiving solution, and especially, an alternative to the loneliness in aging.

According to Mayo Clinic's 2016 article Robots or Robotics in Healthcare", robots such as Pepper, Robear and NAO/ZORA are "undergoing further development in the hopes that they might be practical, useful, acceptable, and safe, caregiving robots. Pepper, brings engaging human to robot interaction, NAO/ZORAis smaller, and highly mobile with elements of engagement, and Robear has the strength to lift people who have mobility issues. All of these robots are undergoing improvements, and updated iterations continue to be released. Robear is still in a research and development phase, and not in public use. Pepper is a four foot humanoid robot, produced by Softbank, that has the power to read and respond to human emotions."

Pepper is an extremely engaging robot. Pepper sold out in Japan in the first minute of going on the market on June 20, 2015. It is hoped that Pepper’s skills in robot to human interaction might improve the mental engagement and monitoring of humans, across the range of mental and emotional needs. 

ZORA’s Nao family of robots – “Nao”, “Zora”  

These robots are characterized by their small size, less than two feet tall, their impressive mobility, and remarkable appeal, likely due to their physical agility and pleasant personality. “Zora”, the latest in the family has been utilized in a variety of therapeutic settings. The Nao robot has been successfully deployed in retirement homes to lead exercise and movement programs, to provide companionship to older individuals who might be lonely, and to answer the many routine questions of the residents.

Robear is a large, bear-like robot being developed in Japan for the purposes of caregiving, specifically those needs which revolve around mobility. Robear continues to be in clinical testing but has promise in lifting and transferring patients, which is a particularly needed caregiving function.

Assist Devices for Mobility Impaired  
The Panasonic corporation has an active interest in developing solutions for the mobility impaired. Panasonic’s “Resyone” is a bed to wheelchair converter. It is also testing a self support robotic device.