The UK is moving one step closer to developing robots capable of providing support for Britons and making caring responsibilities easier, thanks to a £34 million government investment.

With one in seven people in the UK now expected to be over 75 years old by 2040, so-called “care robots” could help provide the UK’s dedicated adult social care sector with more assistance for those who need it most.

The government has launched the UK’s biggest research programme entirely dedicated to making autonomous systems safe and trustworthy for public use with investment that could help develop robots to one day fulfil tasks such as helping an elderly person up after a fall and raising the alarm, delivering food to an older person at mealtimes, and even ensuring they take crucial medication at the correct time.

Autonomous systems are currently built across industries to solve challenges, but in order to be used by people they need to be designed to be safe, keep data secure and have a clear set of rules in order for them make effective decisions.

This cutting-edge programme will undertake research into their design, for example ensuring robots are better protected against cyber-attacks and that they demonstrate principles like respect, fairness and equality enabling them to eventually be used in environments such as care homes and hospitals. It will provide developers, policy makers and regulators with access to world-leading experts, as well as the to the latest information and guidelines around this technology. In the healthcare sector, resulting applications, such as care robots, could work in tandem with professionals to assist and complement their work, and help relieve pressures.

Science Minister Chris Skidmore said:  « A staggering one in seven people in the UK are now expected to be over 75 years old by 2040. As our society ages, most of us will have to care for a loved one, whether it’s a grandparent or a parent or a partner ».

It’s vital that we meet the needs of this ageing society, and through cutting edge research like this we will ensure that as technology advances, the UK leads the way in designing and adopting it, growing our status as a global science superpower. »

This announcement follows previous government investment in a Bristol-based project which has already developed a prototype of a robot called CHIRON – designed to support older adults with mobility and other ageing-related impairments. The robot could eventually assist with anything from bringing a tray of food or drink to a patient, to helping those with mobility issues to their feet from their chair. The latest phase of the project in the Bristol Robotics Laboratory is conducting research to ensure that these robots are trustworthy and safe for use.

Praminda Caleb-Solly, Professor of Assistive Robotics, Bristol Robotics Laboratory said:

« Assistive robots can provide essential support for those who need help carrying out everyday tasks – so they can maintain their independence for as long as possible. But making sure we can trust these robots by reducing the risks associated with this technology is essential. Unlocking their full potential means they could assist with anything from physiotherapy, to assistance for older people with mobility issues, improving people’s quality of life significantly. »

The impact of the government-backed autonomous systems programme could also be substantial for the transport sector – where lack of public trust is also a key challenge. Self-driving cars alone are expected to create an outstanding 320,000 UK jobs, and deliver £51 billion in economic benefits. By developing safer systems, self-driving vehicles could be widespread on our roads in just a couple of decades, revolutionising journeys, improving road safety, reducing congestion and making transport more accessible for people with mobility issues.

Funded through the government’s Strategic Priority Fund and delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the £34 million investment will help tear down public trust barriers by ensuring autonomous technologies like robots and self-driving vehicles are shown to be ethical, viable and safe.

The programme will look at developing reliable autonomous systems across all sectors – from automated personal shoppers, to robots that select the best mortgages, by bringing together researchers and experts, as well as involve the general public so that their needs are understood. Ethical and legal considerations will be incorporated when developing autonomous systems, so that new advances will be more resilient to cyber-attacks and be as safe as possible for consumers.

Examples of existing care robots:

• PARO is an advanced interactive robot developed by AIST, a leading Japanese industrial automation pioneer. It allows the documented benefits of animal therapy to be administered to patients in environments such as hospitals and extended care facilities where live animals present treatment or logistical difficulties and has been found to reduce patient stress and improve their relaxation
• PEPPER is the world’s first humanoid robot able to recognise faces and basic human emotions and has been adopted by over 2,000 companies around the world. In the Healthcare sector, Pepper can improve awareness of prevention care and reduce anxiety on treatment and disease Last year, the government also launched the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation aiming to give the public a voice in how data-driven technology is governed and promoting the trust that’s crucial for the UK to make the most of AI and data-driven technology. Source : Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, UK Research and InnovationI

INNOVATE UK FUNDS DESIGN OF CHIRON CARE ROBOTICS

The project ran from March 2016 to February 2018 and has resulted in a prototype modular robotic system with the brand name of JUVA.

Juva doesn’t have one body, but many. A set of intelligent modular robotic systems, located in multiple positions around one4s home; Juva could help with personal hygiene tasks in the morning, help one get ready for the day and even provide support in preparing one4s favourite meal in the kitchen.

Juva’s various components can be mixed and matched to enable the customer to undertake a wide range of domestic and self care tasks independently or enable a care worker to assist an increased number of customers.

Who is involved?

The project is being managed by a consortium led by Designability. The key technology partners are Bristol Robotics Laboratory and Shadow Robot Company, who have considerable expertise in conducting pioneering research and development in robotics.

Award winning social enterprise care provider, Three Sisters Care will bring user-centred design to the very core of the project. Smart Homes & Buildings Association will work to introduce the range of devices that will create CHIRON and make it an indispensable presence in our homes.

Why is it needed?

In less than 20 years’ time the number of over 65s in the UK, currently at 10 million, will have risen to 17 million. Yet estimates show that there will not be sufficient care workers to tend to this ageing population.

The demand on the existing healthcare services will require fresh ideas and perspectives for how these challenges are faced. The long term care market is currently worth over £20 billion to UK economy. It is expected to grow up to 50% by 2020.

The funding for this project has been awarded by Innovate UK’s Long Term Care Revolution SBRI national challenge which aims to revolutionise long term care in the UK through business-led innovation. It is a two year project aiming to finish in February 2018.

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