Ethical dimensions in human-robot interactions in the field of gerontechnology

Abstract

ISSUE: The rapid development and deployment of robotic applications in gerontechnology, such as socially assistive robots for companionship and daily assistance, virtual coaches, and virtual agents for health monitoring or cognitive support, have the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life for older adults (Góngora Alonso et al., 2019). However, this advancement brings forth a multitude of ethical challenges that need to be addressed from various stakeholder perspectives. Primary users, such as older adults, along with informal and formal caregivers, regulators, and healthcare providers, are directly impacted by these technologies. Ethical concerns also extend to companies developing socially assistive robots and the programmers designing the systems for robot behavior control and data handling (Sharkey & Sharkey, 2012; Van Wynsberghe, 2016). This symposium aims to explore and address these critical ethical issues, ensuring that the integration of robotic applications in gerontechnology is conducted in a manner that respects the dignity, privacy, and rights of all involved parties. CONTENT Our symposium is designed to bring together speakers from France, Japan, and South Korea. STRUCTURE Dacunha et al. address the ethical challenges of integrating social robots in geriatric care, focusing on developing and assessing an educational module for health professionals. Key issues include obtaining consent, managing risks related to judgment impairment, and preventing excessive attachment to robots among cognitively impaired older adults. Conducted in France, the project involved a literature review, interviews with 20 geriatric care professionals, and the creation of 10 training videos. These videos, evaluated by 44 healthcare professionals, provided ethical and practical recommendations for conducting robot-assisted activities. The positive feedback underscores the importance of addressing ethical concerns and training needs for responsible robot use in geriatric settings. Vallée and Aubergé discuss the impact of humanoid design, perceived usefulness, and expressiveness on the acceptability and trust in human-robot interactions. Using a living lab approach, their studies involving the Miroki robot in hospitals and nursing homes revealed that robots introduced as subjects with high expressiveness were perceived as more flexible and trustworthy. Ogawa discusses the effects of cognitive functions on understanding robot speech, revealing that older adults with cognitive decline struggle to comprehend robot speech compared to human speech. The study highlights the need for specific technical features and alternative communication methods in social robots to aid older adults with dementia, bridging the digital divide and addressing ethical implications in human-robot interaction by ensuring accessibility for vulnerable populations. Choi presents public perceptions of care robots in the context of South Korea's rapidly aging population and shrinking caregiver workforce. Her study, involving an online survey of 1,668 participants, revealed significant variability in knowledge and definitions of care robots, with higher education levels correlating with better understanding. Ethical implications are critical, highlighting the need for public communication and discussions to ensure human-centered and ethically responsible development of care robots. Finally, Blavette et al.'s presentation focuses on participatory design in developing social robots for geriatric care. Engaging 45 residents from four French geriatric institutions, their study assessed their needs and preferences through focus groups and interviews. Key features valued by older adults included video-conferencing, object delivery, and cognitive games, which could enhance their quality of life and social connectedness. The findings underscore the importance of involving end-users in the design process to ensure ethical and practical success in technological innovations for geriatric care. CONCLUSION This symposium will explore the participatory design of social robots for geriatric care, addressing ethical challenges such as consent, attachment, and the development of training modules for health professionals. Factors influencing trust in human-robot interactions, the comprehension of robot speech by older adults with cognitive decline, and public perceptions of care robots in rapidly aging societies will also be examined. The critical importance of incorporating ethical reflection in the design, assessment, and deployment of robot-mediated services for older adults will be emphasized, ensuring these technologies are developed and implemented responsibly and respectfully.