Ethical perceptions towards real-world use of companion robots with older people and people with dementia: survey opinions among younger adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Use of companion robots may reduce older people's depression, loneliness and agitation. This benefit has to be contrasted against possible ethical concerns raised by philosophers in the field around issues such as deceit, infantilisation, reduced human contact and accountability. Research directly assessing prevalence of such concerns among relevant stakeholders, however, remains limited, even though their views clearly have relevance in the debate. For example, any discrepancies between ethicists and stakeholders might in itself be a relevant ethical consideration while concerns perceived by stakeholders might identify immediate barriers to successful implementation.

Methods

We surveyed 67 younger adults after they had live interactions with companion robot pets

SUBMITTER: Bradwell HL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7359562 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature