Marketta Niemelä, AAATE Workshop 2016, Helsinki

1. VTT TECHNICAL RESEARCH CENTRE OF FINLAND LTD
Robots for Elderly –
applications, experiences and
ethical questions
AAATE Workshop 2016
Marketta Niemelä, PhD.
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

2. 2
Robots and robotic
applications for the
elderly people

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Robot, service robot, humanoid…
– what is a robot?
 Robot:
 embodied artificial intelligence (processors, artificial intelligence)
 artificial device that senses its environment and acts in a purposeful
way (sensors, actuators)
 a machine that automatically makes useful work
 Service robot:
 robot not in industrial or manufacturing use
 for professional or non-trained users
 Humanoid (android):
 robot having human-like appearance
Robots for Elderly / AAATE 2016 / Marketta Niemelä
marketta.niemela@vtt.fi

4. 407/06/2016 4
Robots and elderly people?
Entertain-
ment,
recreation
Moving
and
navigating
outdoors
Rehab-
ilitation
Trans-
porting,
carrying
things
Commu-
nicating,
social-
ising
Hygiene,
toileting
Tele-
health-
care
Safety,
monitoring
and
alarming
Moving,
walking
Cleaning,
house
work
Eating,
nourish-
ment
Tele-
care
Getting
up, sitting
down
Robots for Elderly / AAATE 2016 / Marketta Niemelä
marketta.niemela@vtt.fi

5. Social
robots
Robots
helping old
person in
physical and
everyday
tasks
Service robots
Three classes of robotic applications for
assistive and care purposes
Robotic devices
to physically
support old
person (or
caregiver)
Robots for Elderly / AAATE 2016 / Marketta Niemelä
marketta.niemela@vtt.fi

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Robotic devices
Robotic bath bed and chair
Lifting and
walking
robot
Robotic arm
Robots for Elderly / AAATE 2016 / Marketta Niemelä
marketta.niemela@vtt.fi

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Robots for everyday tasks
Carrying robot
Telepresence
robot
Semi-autonomous service robot
Mast, M., Burmester, M., Graf, & al. (2015). Design of the human-robot interaction
for a semi-autonomous service robot to assist elderly people. In R. Wichert & H.
Klausing (Eds.), Advanced Technologies and Societal Change: Ambient Assisted
Living. 7. AAL-Kongress 2014, Berlin, Germany, January 21-22, 2014.
Robots for Elderly / AAATE 2016 / Marketta Niemelä
marketta.niemela@vtt.fi

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Social robots
Zora elderly
care robot
Pepper social
robot
Paro therapy
robot
Robots for Elderly / AAATE 2016 / Marketta Niemelä
marketta.niemela@vtt.fi

9. Robots in the wild –
trials and experiences
Place for a photo
(no lines around photo)

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Telepresence robot in a nursing home
How does a telepresence robot operated by family
members influence the quality of life of the
resident?
- feeling of presence
- feeling of security
Case study of 2 months
The robot is operated by family members
Evaluation with the resident, family and the care
home personnel

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Use of Paro in nursing homes
What is the value and impact of Paro from the
perspective of the caregiver and care work?
Focus group interviews in three nursing homes with
long-term access to Paro
Typical use: recreation in group meetings
Value: facilitates ”deep care”; supports the
resident’s ”good moments” and self-image as an
active doer
Insight: Paro is not used to its full potential.
Examples and sharing experiences needed.
Attitudes: ”Paro is better than any robot”

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Other trials ongoing or to come
Introducing and adopting Zora in nursing
homes
Telepresence robot in home care
Telepresence robot in senior community
housing
Service robot in home care
Social robots supporting independent living
of the elderly

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Ethical questionsPlace for a photo
(no lines around photo)

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Three ethical-societal questions concerning
robots for elderly care
What happens to the human contacts and
dignity of old people?
What happens to caregivers’ jobs and
work?
Who is responsible if something goes
wrong?

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Conclusions

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Conclusions - and further questions
 Use of robots in elderly care is in its infancy
 Promises: facilitating independent living, increasing autonomy and
supporting good and even ”deep care” for the elderly
 Attitudes and expectations?
 Some open issues:
 How do care practices change?
 What is the role of regulation and standards?
 How does the business ecosystem evolve?
 What is the role of social robots at home and in care?
Robots for Elderly / AAATE 2016 / Marketta Niemelä
marketta.niemela@vtt.fi

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References
 ”Robotit ja hyvinvointipalveluiden tulevaisuus”, Ville Kyrki, Kirsi Coco, Lea
Hennala, Arto Laitinen, Paula Lehto, Helinä Melkas, Marketta Niemelä, Satu
Pekkarinen, tilannekuvaraportti, 1/2016.
http://www.aka.fi/globalassets/33stn/tilannekuvaraportit/tech-kyrki-
robotiikkahyvinvointi-jaterveyspalveluissa_20160104.pdf
 ”Robotiikka tulee hoivapalveluihin – miten käy vanhusten ihmisarvon?”,
Marketta Niemelä, Arto Laitinen, Futura-lehti 1/2016
 “Social robotics, elderly care, and human dignity: a recognition-
theoretical approach”, Arto Laitinen, Marketta Niemelä, Jari Pirhonen, to be
presented in Robophilosophy conference 2016, Denmark
 “Long-term use of Paro the therapy robot seal – the caregiver
perspective”, Marketta Niemelä, Mari Ylikauppila, Heli Talja, to be presented
in Gerontechnology conference 2016, France
 “Expectations and experiences of adopting robots in elderly care in
Finland: perspectives of caregivers and decision-makers”, Marketta
Niemelä, Hannamaija Määttä, Mari Ylikauppila, to be presented in ICServ2016
conference, Japan Robots for Elderly / AAATE 2016 / Marketta Niemelä
marketta.niemela@vtt.fi

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Robots and the Future of Welfare Services
(ROSE)
roseproject.aalto.fi
@ROSERobotic
Meaningful Technologies for Seniors (METESE)
www.vtt.fi/sites/METESE
Further information
Robots for Elderly / AAATE 2016 / Marketta Niemelä
marketta.niemela@vtt.fi

19. TECHNOLOGY FOR BUSINESS