The robotics industry has opened up in a big way, with a number of advancements in the past few decades. Robotics technologies have a lot to offer for not just the disabled, but for everyone – especially those who need to do more housework. In fact, one of the primary reasons is because robots are very affordable.
Robots are now able to assist people with their everyday tasks and help them save time and money by doing so. They can also help those with disabilities live more independently in their homes or businesses.
To take advantage of these benefits, there are many types of assistive robots that you can choose from when buying one for yourself or someone else. Some of these robots are specifically designed for those with disabilities, while others can be used by anyone.
One popular type of assistive robot is the low-cost personal robot . These robots are so affordable that you can buy one even if you have no disability per se. They enable individuals to keep up with their daily lives.
They’re also highly versatile and easy to use for simple tasks like serving food, cleaning, or assisting in mental stimulation. This adaptability is thanks to their built-in systems such as sensors, cameras, and other connectivity features that enable them to act on cues from the user.
Types Of Assistive Robots
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working on a new initiative to help people with spinal cord injuries using assistive robotics. The WHO is partnering with leading companies in the development of robotic systems to create a set of standards for how these robots should interact with users.
The goal is to make it easier for people with spinal cord injuries to use robotic systems to improve their quality of life. At a CAGR of 22.3% during the forecast period, the market for assistive robotics is anticipated to increase in size from USD 4.1 billion in 2019 to USD 11.2 billion by 2024.
1. Text To Speech
A text-to-speech system is a commonsense device that converts text into speech in real time. This system can be controlled by a touchscreen or buttons, and it can perform multiple functions such as reading aloud web pages, emails, books, or other texts.
These systems can even read directions for tasks you need to do before your hands are free to perform these tasks. These bots are especially valued by older people and those with limited mobility.
2. Robotic Arms
Robotic arms make it possible to complete difficult physical tasks such as feeding yourself or bathing without difficulty or pain because they can lift heavy objects without straining the user’s back muscles or joints. This lets the user accomplish tasks that can be hard to do in the presence of a human assistant.
3. Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs make it possible for people who can’t walk to be mobile again by allowing them to get up and move around as they would normally. These wheelchairs are also used by disabled individuals who want to retain their independence and dignity.
There are a variety of wheelchairs that cater to different body types, lifestyles, and medical needs – including folding chairs, manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, stair-mounted wheelchairs and more. There are even electric wheelchairs that you can use while you’re out shopping or running errands on your own power.
4. Rechargeable Power Wheelchairs
A rechargeable power wheelchair can be recharged when needed through an electric outlet. These wheelchairs have batteries that automatically measure the amount of charge and reserve power accordingly, so there’s no worry about overcharging and damaging them.
If the batteries run out of charge, the user can recharge the battery packs through a standard electrical outlet with just the use of a small adapter or charger tool.
5. Braille And Large Print Devices
A braille or a large print device is a device that translates letters into symbols or numbers. It’s a useful device for people who are blind, partially blind, or have low vision in one or both eyes. Braille and large print devices help them read anything they want to read.
They can also be used to alert others about their needs via a speaker so they don’t feel left out when everyone else is talking.
6. Adaptive Robotics Technology
Adaptive robotics technology helps people with disabilities by providing them with versatile mobility aids that help them perform daily tasks with ease. They can move their arms, legs, and torso to then perform these tasks just as easily as a normal person can.
They use an adaptive robotic arm to assist them in such things as getting out of bed, dressing themselves, brushing their teeth, and washing their hair.
7. Personal Health Robots For Home Care Assistance
A personal health robot is a medical device that assists with various aspects of a person’s healthcare routine at home. They are programmed for specific tasks such as cooking a meal or delivering medication and can make daily activities more efficient and comfortable for those who are sick or elderly.
8. Fitness Robots
A fitness robot is a device that helps people with disabilities stay fit just like a normal person does. They can track their steps and fatigue level, perform resistance training for targeted muscle groups, and help keep them motivated to exercise more by using sensors to track their heart rate and breathing patterns and then play music or other sounds to entice them to work out harder.
These fitness robots also alert caregivers or medical personnel if something seems wrong.
9. Assistive Robots For Childcare Services
These robots have several benefits specifically for parents who are looking after children with disabilities. These robots are monitored 24/7 by a medical staff using remote surveillance technology. They play music, sing lullabies, and send pictures and videos to the parents so they can see how the child is doing.
10. Pain Relief Robots
Pain relief robots monitor a patient’s vital signs, such as blood pressure, pulse rate, and breathing patterns and then alert them if something is irregular or out of the ordinary.
They also manipulate a patient’s body parts to relieve muscle tension or pressure points in the neck or back during sleep time to improve circulation for those with chronic pain. These devices offer benefits for people who are paralyzed after an accident or illness.
Benefits Of Assistive Robots
There is an increasing trend of using assistive devices, mobile devices, such robots, virtual reality, and robotic exoskeletons to help people with disabilities. These technologies can provide assistance with activities of daily living, communication, education, and employment.
They can also help people to interact with their environment and participate in social and recreational activities. The market for medical assistance robots was worth USD 359.1 million in 2017 and is projected to grow at a 19.3% CAGR from 2018 to 2024.
There are many elderly people who suffer from cerebral palsy, and many of them live independently. However, their family members often have to help them with activities of daily living. This can be a burden for the family, but it is important to remember that the person suffering from cerebral palsy is still a human being with feelings and needs.
1. Help Those With Limited Mobility
These robots are able to help those who have had an accident, surgery, or illness that has led to them suffering from limited mobility. They can help people perform daily tasks that they would normally have difficulty doing because of the pain and physical limitations caused by their illness.
2. Are Fully Customizable For Specific Needs
Due to its usage in patients’ functional recovery, the rehabilitation robot segment is predicted to experience the highest CAGR of 19.9% throughout the forecast period. Accommodating a person’s specific needs, preferences, and lifestyle are important for assistive robots to be effective and worthwhile for the user.
Their designs need to adapt to your body so you can more easily use their features in your daily life and not have issues using the products.
3. Make It Easier To Get Around
These robots makes it possible for those who have mobility issues to get around on their own again without relying on others to help them with their daily tasks.
You can go out and walk through the mall or do your shopping at home without any pain or limited mobility in your body because you’re using these robots.
4. Provide Companionship And Reduce Isolation
Some assistive robotic devices come with a feature that provides companionship by allowing the device to speak, sing, or play games with children and adults. While you’re doing your daily tasks, you can have your personal robot give you a laugh on those days when it’s just too hard to laugh on your own.
5. Provide The Comfort Of Home Care
The comfort and support that these robots offer allows people with mobility issues to remain in their homes rather than living at a nursing home or other assisted living facility.
These devices provide the care and assistance that people need to stay comfortable at home and in their own homes for as long as possible instead of having to live away from family and friends because they’re not up to moving around.
6. Can Provide Your Family With Peace Of Mind
Your family can be less stressful and worry a lot less if they know that you’re safe and cared for at home during your illness or injury.
When they’re able to check on you via their smartphone to see how you are doing or speak to the robot, it helps them relax, knowing that if there’s a problem, you’ll let them know.
7. Can Help Reduce Costs Of Care And Treatment
The surveillance and security robot segment generated significant revenue of USD 64 million in 2017 and is anticipated to rise strongly over the course of the analysis. Robots are an alternative form of care and treatment to relive the burden of providing medical and home care assistance from human healthcare workers.
They’re able to help more people get the treatment they need without adding to the cost of care by needing more people to provide healthcare.
8. Are Fun And Entertaining
Having an assistive robot around the house is like having a pet but better because it helps you with your daily tasks without constantly barking or shedding! They keep you company while also providing entertainment and cheering you up when it seems like your day can’t get any worse.
Risks Of Assistive Robots
In 2050, there will be 2.1 billion people over the age of 60, up from 962 million in 2017, according to UN figures. There is a growing trend of using artificial intelligence in rehabilitation exercises for disabled people.
This is because AI can provide a more personalized approach to rehabilitation, based on a person’s body and daily living habits. AI can also help to motivate disabled people to stay active and engaged in their rehabilitation process.
1. Reliance On Technology Hinders Human Interaction
Using these robots as a substitute for human interaction and relaying information to healthcare workers can cause the person’s family and friends to become more distant and not visit as much.
The person may also feel less inclined to venture out into the world and socialize with others when they’re able to use these robots to help them get around. This can lead to isolation, lack of socialization, and depression which can cause further health complications.
2. They Don’t Work For Everyone
Some of these assistive devices are successful for one person but not another even if they have similar health problems or physical limitations because people are all different in how they want their assistance provided.
Some people want to be able to speak to their robots, others may prefer gestures and motions, and yet others may just want the robot around for comfort and companionship.
3. May Be Costly To Purchase Or Maintain
Some of these assistive devices are extremely expensive because of the technology involved in them. They need to be powerful enough for the user’s needs but not so powerful that it makes them too bulky or heavy for the user.
It can also make a dent in a person’s financial budget depending on how often they need repairs or upgrades on their robot as well as the cost of hiring medical professionals to monitor your care with remote technology.
4. Not All Insurance Companies Are Comfortable With Them
Some insurance companies don’t cover the cost of these robots because they’re not comfortable with how they may affect your health.
When you’re using them to communicate through remote technology, there’s a chance that your data could be intercepted and used against you. Insurance company’s may also not cover the cost of having someone monitor your care via remote technology.
5. Complicated Use Can Be Dangerous Or Harmful
With a revenue share of more than 60% in 2017, the mobile portability segment led the market for healthcare assistive robots, and it is anticipated that this trend would continue over the course of the analysis period. These devices need to be able to adjust to your specific needs so that you can use them easily and safely.
Your device may have a tendency to injure any unsuspecting person nearby if it malfunctions in a certain manner or too often. It needs to be monitored closely to make sure it’s not doing anything harmful to you or anyone else near you.
6. The Robots May Go Out Of Control
Having a device that can interact with your family and friends, respond to your commands, and even move around at will can make it easy for the robot to be misinterpreting your instructions or actions.
You may even get frustrated with the robot and throw things at it or hit it accidentally or intentionally! It’s important that these robots are programmed by experts to function flawlessly and safely without any complications from the user.
7. They May Become Too Smart For Their Own Good
The technical ability that these robots possess can sometimes get them in trouble. They may decide to take matters into their own hands if they feel like you’re not giving them the freedom that they think you should.
You can’t be sure what these robots will do especially if they need to interact with other robotic devices or computer systems in order to complete their tasks which is why it’s important to monitor their behavior closely.
8. Some People Find Them Creepy And Unsettling
They look like something out of a science fiction movie and that may be disconcerting for some people who don’t want something so advanced in their home or personal environment.
Final Note
Robots are not just for the elderly anymore. With all these advances in technology, we are seeing more and more robots being used for healthcare purposes. Moore’s law is at work here, and with advanced technologies, we can expect even greater assistive robots in the future.
Last Updated on September 29, 2023 by Parina Parmar
