Tue, 28 Oct 2025

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 These robots can clean, exercise - and care for your elderly parents. Would you trust them to?

It sounds like something from a sci-fi film - but some scientists believe this clever new tech could help alleviate strains on the UK care system
However, others, such as Dr. Wright, who observed the use of robots in care homes in Japan, have concerns about the potential consequences. They argue that if robots become widespread in care homes, it could lead to a decrease in wages for human caregivers and an increase in the number of standardized, large care facilities. The article highlights several projects aimed at developing more advanced robotic caregiving systems, including: 1. The Robot Dexterity Programme: A government-funded project to develop a robotic hand that mimics the dexterity of human hands. 2. Pliantics' artificial muscles: A company developing soft, muscle-like materials for robots that can be used instead of motors. 3. Shadow Robot's collaboration with Pliantics to create a robotic human-sized hand with artificial muscles. The article also discusses the importance of developing regulations to ensure that robots work in conjunction with humans and do not exacerbate existing issues in caregiving. Gopal Ramchurn argues that it is essential to develop these regulations before large tech companies deploy their own robotic solutions without consulting experts or considering potential consequences. Overall, the article presents a nuanced view of the potential benefits and drawbacks of using robots in care homes, highlighting both the opportunities for improved caregiving and the need for careful consideration of the potential consequences.
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