The Role of Medical Robotics in Elderly Care

1. The Role of Medical Robotics in Elderly Care M. K. A. Ahamed Khan, I. Elamvazuthi, M. Amudha and S. Rajendran Abstract Rapid progress of standard of living and health care worldwide has resulted in the increase of aging population. More and more elderly people are getting less care from their family or caregivers. The application of robot technologies in the service of general end-users promises many benefits. In particular, assistive robots have a variety of functions to offer to the elderly. The intelligent service robot can assist elderly people with many tasks, such as remembering to take medicine, measure blood pressure on time or to entertain through interactive sessions. This paper discusses the new and emerging medical assistive robotic technologies for elderly care. Keywords: medical robotics, elderly care, emerging technology, converging technology 1. Medical Robotics 2. Robotics Field In this study, Robotics is considered the domain of systems able to perform coordinated mechatronic actions (force or movement exertions) on the basis of processing information acquired through sensor technology, with the aim of supporting the functioning of impaired individuals, medical interventions, care and rehabilitation of patients and also individuals in prevention programmes. • Robotics offer the promise of sustainable and affordable health provision without compromising quality of care. The areas are: • Robotisedsurgery • Intelligent prosthetics • Robotisedmotor coordination analysis and therapy • Robot-assisted mental, cognitive and social therapy • Robotisedpatient monitoring systems 3. Robots for Elderly Care Kompai Okonomiyak Yurina uBOT-5 Wakamaru • A Japan Logic Machine • employee demonstrates a • bed-shaped care-robot • 'Yurina' which can be • transformed between a bed • and a wheelchair for elderly • and disabled people • The robot uses face and • voice recognition • technology to • communicate with their • ‘keeper’. • It can remind pensioners • when to take their • medication, ensure they are • eating properly and spot • medical emergencies and • raise the alarm. • The 4ft tall wheeled robot • has an interactive TV screen • which allows elderly users to • talk to relatives and doctors • via the internet. • Recognize human activities, such • as walking or sitting. • Recognize an abnormal visual • event, such as a fall and notify a • remote medical caregiver. • Through an interface, the remote • service provider may ask the • client to speak, smile or raise • both arms, movements that the • robot can demonstrate. • If the person is unresponsive, the • robot can call 911, alert family • and apply a digital stethoscope • to a patient, conveying information • to an emergency medical • technician who is en route. • Detection of moving persons • Face recognition of 10 persons • Voice recognition 10,000 words • Memorises his owner's daily • rhythm of waking up, eating, • sleeping, etc. • Remind the user to take • medicine on time • Calling for help if he detects a • moving objects around him while • you are away (e.g. intruder) • Provides information and services • by connecting to the Internet • The robot demonstrates its • ability to cook traditional • Japanese food – • Okonomiyaki, a savoury • pancake. • The robot which has 15 joints, • can take verbal orders from • customers and use standard • kitchen utensils • It would be an asset for • elderly in home 4. Benefits Potential 5. Concluding Remarks • The benefits of robots for elderly care are: • increased health by decreased level of stress • more positive mood • decreased loneliness • increased communication activity with others • rethinking the past • Robotics hold the promise of addressing some major healthcare issues: • The field of robotics in healthcare is in its infancy – industry, government and research can still exert influence. • There is a need to bridge the difficult transitions from laboratories to trials and from trials to regular healthcare practice. • Systematic support to research is needed for progress to be made. • Addressing ethical and legal problems should be an integral part of any research programme in this field. Electrical & Electronic Engineering Department UniversitiTeknologi PETRONAS 31750 Tronoh, Perak DarulRidzuan Malaysia Electrical & Electronic Engineering Department UniversitiIndustri Selangor 45600 Bestari Jaya, Selangor DarulEhsan Malaysia