John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
Allison Okamura, a Stanford University professor, is pioneering a new generation of in-home robot caretakers. Her work is motivated by societal trends like aging populations and a shortage of caregivers, as discussed with Hoover's Technology Policy Accelerator.
"Demand for these robots is being driven by various societal trends, including aging populations, falling birth rates, immigration policies, better medical care that boosts longevity, and so on," Okamura explains. Countries such as Japan, with an aging populace and limited immigration, are more receptive to robots for the elderly. However, this acceptance is expected to grow in other regions, including the U.S.
The robots serve practical functions to assist the elderly with activities such as using the bathroom, making them preferable over human assistance for many. "Assistive methods that don’t involve another human might be more easily accepted from a psychological perspective," Okamura notes.
Recent technological advancements underscore the potential for these robots. "There are two main types of changes taking place. The first is in hardware," Okamura elaborates, referring to the development of "soft robotics" using materials like knitted fabric and rubber. These make interactions safer while still providing necessary assistance. In AI, the emergence of foundation models enables machines to handle unexpected scenarios, vital in caregiving.
Looking toward the future, Okamura suggests two main types of in-home robots: specialized robots performing single tasks and general-purpose humanoid robots, though the latter is further away. "But ultimately, having a different robot in your house for every different task is not going to be practical – it would be very expensive," she says.
Despite progress, human oversight will remain essential. Concerns persist about AI errors in caregiving tasks. "That’s a key area of research," admits Okamura.
Cost remains a central issue. "The cost of human carers is likely to keep increasing while the cost of assistive robots will come down," Okamura predicts, foreseeing a shift over the next two decades.
The impact on human interaction also raises questions. "If a robot can empower and enable them, that can be beneficial to their mental health," Okamura states. The balance between independence and loneliness is yet to be fully understood.
Okamura's research, initially published by the Hoover Institution, reflects a growing interest in harnessing robotics to address demographic challenges.
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