Potential use of robots in Taiwanese nursing homes

Nursing homes and long-term care institutions often need technological assistance because of the high ratio of low-functioning residents coupled with a shortage of caregivers. To explore the potential uses of emerging robotic technologies in nursing homes, we apply Forlizzi´s concept of the product ecology and a user-centered design approach involving field study and focus groups to understand what kind of robot design would be suitable in the nursing home context. Our preliminary results show that instead of a robot which completely replaces human labor, nursing home staff prefer robot assistants who fit into their working process. We also learned the most appropriate functions for robots in nursing homes were helping with minor tasks and encouraging social interaction among residents.