Roboethics - Ethical Engineering for International Development and Environmental Sustainability - page 77

started in the early 1960s and has intensifi ed over the past 15 years or so, partly due
to advances in technology. While a number of useful assistive robots have been
developed, many projects did not go beyond the prototype stage and others did not
even produce prototypes.
The main classifi cation of assistive robots is into socially assistive robots, which,
for instance, act as companions and toys, and physically assistive robots, such as
robotic wheelchairs, smart homes and manipulators (Brose et al. 2010 ). A potential
third category includes robotic limbs and organs (Burgar et al. 2000 ) and a fourth
category design-for-all personal service robots. Design-for-all personal service
robots are personal service robots, including the increasingly popular domestic vac-
uum cleaners and lawnmowers, which have been designed in accordance with
design-for-all (universal design) principles (Connell et al. 1997 ). The aim of the
design is to make these robots accessible and usable by as wide a range of the popu-
lation as possible, regardless of factors such as age, gender, disability and size. In
the case of disabled and elderly people, this will include designing appropriate
interfaces to enable them to operate the robots and receive feedback from them.
To be attractive to disabled and elderly people, these robots will need to be very
competitively priced, easy and intuitive to use, robust and reliable. They will also
need improved navigation and obstacle avoidance functions to ensure that they do
not bump into and damage furniture or, even worse, the user if they do not go out
while the robot is working. A number of these robots are already able to return to
their docking stations themselves. Useful future developments would include auto-
matic emptying of the containers of vacuum cleaners. Robotic domestic appliances
may be easier to use for many disabled and elderly people than existing appliances.
However, it is important that the availability of such appliances is not used to justify
a reduction in the funding of personal assistance.
Physically assistive robots include the following:

1. Robotic wheelchairs.
2. Robotic manipulators for reaching and lifting, personal care, eating and

drinking.
3. Shopping aids, particularly for blind people, to guide them around shops and
stores, locate and provide information about products and locate and fetch them.
4. Smart homes with a range of facilities.

Socially assistive robots include the following:

1. Social assistants, particularly for autistic people, including to facilitate social
contact and practice social interaction.
2. Robotic guides for blind people.
3. Toy robots for children, including to facilitate social interaction.

Robots with both physically and socially assistive roles include the following:

1. Personal assistants and/or companions.
2. Travel support robots, including when overseas.
3. Guides and physical support in public buildings, including museums, shopping
centres and hospitals.