ROBOTIC COMPANIONS

FOR THE ELDERLY

Chosen Topic

Our topic of choosing is robotic companions for the elderly, which we believe are quite relevant given the current circumstances. They prove to be an interesting idea to look into and we would like to see what direction they are heading in as technology advances. The problem of social isolation has become much more prevalent since the start of the pandemic over a year ago and many people were affected by it, with the elderly being one of the worst hit. Robotic companions allow for assistance of both mental and physical aspects of everyday life for elderly people, and they are able to act as a sort of 24/7 caregiver due to their abilities to provide companionship and genuine interactions with humans. We felt this type of technology could help enhance the elderly’s well being and improve their mental state, which has been proven to be a serious issue when regarding elderly people who are in isolation. As time goes on, there is a possibility that the demand for robotic companions could increase as it could very well expand to catering to more people than just the elderly.