Robotic nurses are increasingly recognized as an innovative and rapidly growing technology that warrants investment and development. As reported in the scientific paper Robots and Robotics in Nursing, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that between 2015 and 2050, the global population of individuals aged 60 and older will nearly double, from 12% to 22%.
This demographic shift presents challenges for healthcare systems worldwide, particularly regarding the needs of older adults.
To address these challenges, some countries have turned to interactive technologies, such as robots equipped with artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies, especially in hospital settings, are becoming essential due to the increasing demand for healthcare and the shortage of healthcare professionals.
In this scenario, the development of robots for nursing care offers an innovative solution to assist in providing care for vulnerable populations, such as older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Robotics in nursing is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the creation and application of robots within healthcare settings. This field encompasses methodologies, technologies, and ethical considerations required for robots to effectively assist healthcare professionals in their daily tasks. By learning to use robots efficiently, nurses can provide care that is both safer and more efficient for patients.
Successful integration of robotics into nursing practice relies on close collaboration between nurses and engineers. While nurses may not have the technical expertise of engineers, their input is vital to ensure that robots are designed to be safe, functional, and capable of meeting patient needs. Additionally, creating an environment that supports the successful implementation and use of robotics in clinical settings is crucial for optimizing patient care and improving outcomes.
The interaction methods of Humanoid Robots are a topic of significant global interest and development. These robots were a central focus at the 23rd IEEE RAS International Conference on Humanoid Robotics (HUMANOIDS 2024) in Nancy, where discussions included emerging applications in the field of Human-Robot-Avatar Interaction and Collaboration. Key topics addressed included enhancing robots’ proactive social capabilities as avatars and developing next-generation humanoids designed to learn tasks through both physical and social interactions with humans.
Currently, the distinction between humans and robots in their capacity to provide care can be analyzed from two perspectives: their physical attributes and their expression of humanness, particularly in communication. While the physical differences between humans and robots remain distinct today, future advancements may gradually diminish these disparities. For robots to operate safely and effectively in healthcare environments, the ability to sense touch is essential, as it enables them to provide care with greater precision and empathy. Robotic nurses exemplify this, designed not only to assist in patient care but also to enhance human-robot interactions.
As robotic capabilities continue to advance, their interactions may become increasingly indistinguishable from human behavior, further blurring the boundaries between humans and machines.
The Role of AI and Communication in Enhancing the Capabilities of Robotic Nurses in Healthcare
The integration of AI in robots can enhance nursing by enabling more natural communication between robots and patients. As discussed by some experts, robotic nurses with AI need to build and refer to extensive databases, such as a “Nursing Situation Database” and a “Nursing Response Database,” to offer appropriate responses to various nursing situations. For instance, if a patient experiences hallucinations, the robot can refer to the database to find an appropriate response. However, since not all situations can be stored in these databases, these systems must evolve and self-learn from real-world data to improve their responses.
AI-powered robots have been explored in the context of supplemental healthcare, where they could take on physical tasks while human caregivers focus on patient interaction. In some cases, robotic nurses can also interact with patients when such interaction might pose a risk to the staff, such as during infectious disease outbreaks.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, several robotics companies developed innovative robots to enhance medical care. For instance, UVD (Ultraviolet Disinfection) robots were deployed in Italian hospitals for efficient disinfection of hospital areas.
Additionally, PAL’s ‘Ari’ robots were used to provide social stimulation for patients, while TIAGo robots were utilized for both disinfection and the delivery of food and medicine to patients. While these innovations are still in progress, they highlight the growing potential of robots to support healthcare professionals, particularly robotic nurses, in their efforts to provide efficient and accessible patient care. As the technology continues to evolve, its integration into healthcare systems will only increase, driven by the continuous improvements in human robot interaction.
Although technology and AI present substantial opportunities for enhancing patient care, significant challenges remain. Robotic nurses represent an evolving interdisciplinary field that combines technological innovation, methodology, and ethical considerations to create robots that assist healthcare professionals. However, more research is needed to fully comprehend the potential impacts of these technologies, particularly in terms of whether robotic nurses could eventually replace human caregivers. Efforts to integrate empathy into AI and robotics are ongoing, with systems designed to simulate compassionate behaviors. Future research should delve into how these technologies can effectively complement human care by exploring the intersection of empathy, nursing theories, and AI. By embracing cutting-edge innovations while preserving the core values of nursing, the profession can adapt to meet the challenges of caring for today’s and tomorrow’s patients.
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