That is one of the questions that often arises in our communities.
Yes? Why? No? Why not? Nursing and caring robots…?! Is this a curse or a blessing?
Let’s think about this together a bit!
Sophia, the humanoid robot, which the Hong Kong company Hanson Robotics promised to start mass-producing in 2021, can provide elderly care…? The mass production of the elderly care humanoid robot begins…??
I would say: „Thank goodness!”
Both the EU and the member states are struggling with the care crisis, hundreds of thousands of carers are missing from the healthcare systems of EU member states. In the meantime, there is not the slightest serious political intention to solve the situation in a way that is kind, caring, and humble. And is not based on further-exploiting the already existing human care force…
Families already want and need robots, after all
In practice, even now, the system expects elderly carers (both paid and unpaid) and especially live-in carers not to be human: they should not want to sleep, have a private life, nor want to eat/drink/rest. They should not have mental and physical problems, temperament, family, family obligations, etc. etc.
If you are a carer you should be kind, and talk only as much (not more, nor less) as the client and relatives require… If you as a carer are not needed in a given moment, you should disappear, turn yourself off… But if you are needed, be ready to serve immediately… Even during the night…
Families, struggling with elderly care, don’t want flesh-and-blood people with human characteristics, needs, and wants! They want machines that require little maintenance and are always ready to serve at the same high quality, and with precision.
Well, this is exactly what a robot has to offer
I am always amazed at how society assumes that highly underpaid, exploited, and disrespected carers will provide the real and good care that an elderly person needs. Especially over a long period of time and without adequate rest.
If anyone thinks about it just a little harder than usual, they know exactly that this is unrealistic. The best-case scenario from the clients’ perspective is that the carer works at the expense of (mostly) her own body and soul. Underpaid, exhausted, yet trying to provide a good service.
And that’s exactly why I don’t understand why we are worried about the possibility of caring robots, when this is already THE real need. A truly professional carer, a flesh-and-blood person, is exactly like a robot. The narrative that “real emotions” and “love” are also expected from a carer is just an empty phrase, and anyway a completely unfair demand.
Caring robots are just as badly needed as good quality diapers… We are no longer able and willing to create properly caring social structures, and to truly value human caregivers. And as I mentioned earlier, there is no real social and political demand and intention to achieve that either.
Let’s make robots available!
I see a much greater danger: these robots, because of their price, will again only be available to the rich, like the electric cars and truly professional kitchen appliances, tools. I would argue that we should fight for economic and healthcare systems in which these robots could be provided to all people in the social security framework, at an affordable price. Caring robots have to become an everyday reality in all households, just like washing machines and ovens. Which, by the way, would make care work and women’s lives easier, right?
As far as I am concerned my hope is that in the next 10-20 years it will be possible to create really accessible and high-quality nursing/caring robots. And by the time I get old and need care, I could have one.
Perhaps we could reconsider our expectations a bit. Instead of requiring love and kindness from human carers whom we, as a society, seriously exploit on a daily basis, let’s start being kind and appreciative towards the ones who care for us! Also, let’s try to build the machines that can help carers in their work, and make those machines available to everyone who needs them.
Finally, have a look at these two videos. This is where AI is at the moment… Just feel it!
And this:
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UnfOlding is a project funded by the European Union.
Hekate 