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Eldercare and Japan’s Care Robots
Would you want a robot to take care of you?
While we’re integrating a number of new technologies at Ecumen, that’s not one that’s hit any of our communities.
It’s a different story in Japan, where 22% of of that country’s population is already 65 or older. Businesses there are rolling out everything from easy-entry cars to remote controlled beds, fueling a senior technology market worth more than $1 billion.
Secom Company there recently introduced a robot that assists people with eating. The Tokyo-based company already has sold 300 of the robots, which come at a price tag of $3,500.
An intelligent wheelchair from Fujitsu Ltd. and Aisin Seiki Co. uses a positioning system to automatically travel to a preset destination, and uses sensors to detect and stop at red lights, and to avoid obstacles.
Then, according to Hiroko Tabuchi, Associated Press reporter, there’s a new care designed by Toyota. Part of the Welcab series, it’s designed for easy entry for people who use a wheelchair or have difficulty walking.
Driving this technology development is Japan’s age wave, a desire to help seniors live independently and fully, and the fact that not as many families are providing multi-generational care.
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This entry was posted on Monday, October 8th, 2007 at 4:40 pm and is filed under Age Wave, Changing Aging, Technology, baby boomers, long-term care. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
October 10th, 2007 at 9:49 am
As part of the Global Ageing Network, we follow technological advances and observe with interest the emerging use of robots.
I had a chance to experience Paro, the robot harp seal being developed to provide comfort and monitor vital signs of elderly residents. It was remarkably life like and even batted its eyes at me.
However acceptance of robots has been spotty. A recent article in the Washington Post noted technologies like robots and automatic feeding spoons are becoming unpopular with Japanese elders and their families.
So it seems that the jury is still out.
Ginger Nuessle
IAHSA - The Global Ageing Network
http://iahsa.wordpress.com
October 10th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Post-war baby booms occurred in the US and Japan. We’re neck and neck with trying to come to terms with how we are going to serve all of these older folks. I’ll be one in, say, 25 years.
October 15th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
I can honestly say I would not be comfortable with a non feeling robot. I have asked my seniors here and they prefer human contact, conversion, compassion, etc. Can these robots do any of this?
October 16th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
My sense is probably not.