Social Values of Care Robots.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Robotics
• Social Sciences and Healthcare Technology

Background:

• Aging societies face challenges like labor shortages and an aging workforce.
• Previous research on care robots primarily focused on productivity and workability.
• There is a growing need to understand the broader social value of care robots.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and prioritize the social values of care robots.
• To inform the development and implementation of care robots in aging societies.

Main Methods:

• Conducted focus group interviews (FGIs) with 24 care recipients and caregivers.
• Utilized analytic hierarchy processes (AHPs) with 13 industry experts.

Main Results:

• Labor and health benefits, technological innovation, and essential care provision were identified as high-priority social values.
• Cost, care recipient autonomy, and organizational innovation received lower priority.

Conclusions:

• Social values of care robots, beyond private costs and benefits, are crucial for enhancing care quality.
• Considering social values can unlock the full potential of the care robot industry.