Research on “Watching over robots for elderly people living alone” with preventive care and disaster prevention functions for multi-layered support

Could technology and artificial intelligence (AI) help meet the growing demand for care in the context of an ageing population? Researchers from the Department of Health & Welfare Management at the University of Fukuchiyama in Japan are developing robots that can monitor the health and independence of solitary‐dwelling elderly people. Professor Noriko Kawashima leads the team, bringing a background in social welfare. She is working with: Professor Etsuji Okamoto, a public health physician from the Department of Health & Welfare Management; Professor Itaru Kuramoto, a robotics specialist from the Faculty of Informatics; Professor Shigeo Tatsuki, a specialist in disaster prevention from Doshisha University; and disaster prevention expert Professor Katsuya Yamori from Kyoto University. Through their work, the researchers are exploring how robots may be able to provide round-the-clock care. The team is homing in on the policy importance of reducing the risks of adverse events in solitary‐dwelling elderly by offering 24-hour observation by robots. The goal is to ensure prompt alerts in emergencies, reduce the risk of dementia and alleviate loneliness. The researchers want to optimise the benefits of generative AI technology in long-term care (LTC). The researchers are building on existing robotic technology and generative AI to develop robots that can monitor health and act as companions.