Robot robots to nurture old people

For sick and frail older people to live longer and more convenient, European scientists are working on combining robots with 'smart homes '. The robots will be friendly family friends, support for human life.


The study is part of a project called KSERA , which focuses specifically on patients with COPD, who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The World Health Organization estimates that the disease will be the third leading cause of death in the world by 2030, especially affecting the elderly.

Within three years many homes will be completed and equipped with a robot and other systems that form the 'smart home' . Robot thinks and opens the door. It will play a central role in the activities of this house.

It follows the patient in the home, understands their habits, observes them carefully, gives voice advice, adjusts the temperature rise or fall of the air conditioner, warns the doctor when it is detected. Patients have problems. In addition, the robot also provides entertainment in the form of internet and video.

Researchers stress that smart home care will not be a rigid, insensitive environment. ' It must be as simple and friendly as possible. The robot will communicate with all the systems in your home . '

Ethical issues are also of particular interest. The robot must give good advice to the patient, but it is not acting like a cop. Said Meesters, a member of the team. What should be done, for example, when a COPD patient lights a cigarette?

And what robots can pass on to ' central control ' and what should not. " We need to define a clear limit for robots to continuously collect and consider very private data," Meesters added.