Robot carers for elderly people are ‘another way of dying even more miserably’

Japan has a robot with 24 fingers that can wash hair, while in Europe we’re getting a ‘social companion robot’. I’m going off for a little cry

As if old age wasn’t scary enough, here comes a new horror: Nadine, the humanoid robot personal care assistant for elderly people. Don’t you love the “personal” in there? How personal? It/she has “her [sic] own personality”, can remember conversations, and it/she isn’t quite ready for you yet, but it’s only a matter of time before it/she will be “a companion for children and the elderly”.

See how they lump us together? We’re just like babies – but worse, because we’re never going to grow up and be useful, and we’re increasing like billy-ho. So, it’s international panic stations. Especially in Japan, with 25% of the population over 65. (Serves them right for being so healthy.) That’s why they’re streets ahead. They already have a robot with three arms and 24 fingers that can wash your hair and massage your head; Paro the cuddly seal robot, which befriends elderly people; and a mat with a wireless sensor that can tell if you’re still moving about.

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via Robot carers for elderly people are ‘another way of dying even more miserably’