Robots powered by artificial intelligence have the potential to play a huge role in elder care from keeping the elderly company to helping them to improve their physical and cognitive capabilities.
Many older adults, especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background, who live at home, are at a heightened risk of social isolation and decreased cognitive function.
A new study is underway to explore the benefits of robotic technologies for enhancing wellbeing, independence, and quality of life of older adults from CALD backgrounds.
In collaboration with industry partner Flexible Living Ltd, the study “Connecting culture and robotic technology: The future of aged care in Australia”, which was awarded over $300,000 in funding from the Commonwealth Home Support Program Innovation Fund, aims to address the key barriers to supporting older adults from CALD backgrounds to enhance their wellbeing and quality of life in their homes and communities by utilising new robotic technologies.
An expert team, led by Associate Professor Gloria Ge and Associate Professor Stephanie Schleimer from the Department of Business Strategy and Innovation, has successfully completed the first trial of the study at Gold Coast.
“Exploring the use of robotic technology to help provide these vulnerable members support has the potential to be beneficial to our society,” said Stephanie.
“The responses from the local Japanese community group are overwhelmingly positive and we had a full house in our first Information Session held at the end of January,” Gloria said.
“We cannot wait to share our findings with the community and fellow researchers when we complete the project later in the year.”
