Robots are being developed to assist with elderly care, offering capabilities like cleaning and exercise guidance, but questions remain about trust and practicality. Recent investments and research highlight both potential and challenges in integrating robotics into care systems.
In a north-west London laboratory, Shadow Robot Company is developing advanced robotic hands that mimic human dexterity, aiming to create general-purpose servants for homes and address the UK’s social care crisis. With 131,000 vacancies for adult care workers in England and two million people aged 65 and over living with unmet care needs, the pressure on the care system is immense. By 2050, one in four people in the UK is expected to be 65 or over, exacerbating the strain and making robotic assistance an appealing solution.
Japan offers a glimpse into this future, having subsidized care home robots for a decade. Dr. James Wright, an AI specialist, observed three robots in a Japanese care home: HUG, a lifting aid; Paro, a therapeutic seal-like robot; and Pepper, a humanoid that led exercise classes. However, his research revealed that care workers found the robots more burdensome than helpful, as they required constant cleaning, charging, and troubleshooting. For instance, Pepper’s voice was too high-pitched to hear clearly, and Paro caused distress in one resident who became overly attached.
Despite these setbacks, developers have refined their designs. HUG’s makers made it more compact, Paro’s creator cited clinical evidence of therapeutic effects, and Pepper’s software has been updated. In the UK, initiatives like Emergence, led by Professor Praminda Caleb-Solly, connect robot makers with users to ensure practical applications. Elderly individuals express desires for voice interaction, non-threatening appearances, and self-cleaning robots, emphasizing that they want robots to care for them, not the other way around.
Businesses are testing robots too. Caremark trialed Genie, a voice-activated robot, with mixed reactions—some users loved it, while others did not. Director Michael Folkes stresses that robots aim to give carers more time for human interaction, not replace them. Technical challenges remain, such as achieving human-like dexterity. Shadow Robot’s hands, with 100 sensors, can perform tasks like solving a Rubik’s Cube but struggle with delicate actions like using scissors.
Innovations like artificial muscles from Pliantics in Denmark could enhance robot capabilities. Founder Guggi Kofod, motivated by personal experiences with dementia, is developing soft materials that mimic real muscles for more precise grips. These efforts are part of broader projects like the Robot Dexterity Programme, funded by the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency, which studies animal movement to improve robot design for efficiency and grace.
However, concerns persist about the impact on human carers. Dr. Wright warns that robots could lead to lower wages and larger, standardized care homes, undermining quality care. In contrast, Professor Gopal Ramchurn of the University of Southampton sees a huge industry potential, citing Elon Musk’s Optimus robot as a sign of imminent adoption. He advocates for regulations to ensure robots serve society responsibly, emphasizing the need to prepare for this future now.
As robotics advance, the debate continues on whether these machines can truly support elderly care without compromising human touch and trust.