Care robot research and development plan for disability and aged care in Korea: A mixed-methods user participation study

ABSTRACT

The population of Korea is aging rapidly, and this has led to a care burden for caregivers. Without adequate caregivers to address the increased burden, people with significant disabilities and older adults with disabilities who have greatly reduced mobility are at risk. The aim of this study was to determine suitable types of care robots for care applications in Korea and formulate a strategy for a future care robot R&D plan through a user participation study. We categorized nine types of care robots that are suitable for the care needs in Korea. By adopting a mixed research methodology involving user participation, we conducted discussions with caregivers, care receivers, and other stakeholders under a public-private-people partnership model. We also identified five primary strategies for care robot R&D: (1) intensive investment to match the needs of people with very severe disabilities to care robot technologies, particularly for transfer, repositioning, toileting, and feeding; (2) translational research and technology development; (3) realization of smart-care through fourth industrial revolution (i.e., digital) technologies; (4) user-centered research with stakeholders; and (5) building of a care robot ecosystem. The formulated plan would be shared with other developers and clinical experts to drive development of suitable care robots.

KEYWORDS:

• care robots
• disability
• older adults
• user participatory model

Acknowledgments

We want to thank all experts, people with disabilities, and senior citizens who participated in the Care Robot Network Forum of the National Rehabilitation Center and helped us design the plan for the Korea Care Robot Project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Task Force of Planning for Care Robots [NRCTFCR2018], Translational Research Program for Rehabilitation Robots [NRCTR-IN18007], and Translational Research Program for Care Robots [HK19C0002], National Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea.