Robotics in Elderly Healthcare: A Qualitative Analysis of 20 Recent European Research Projects

Abstract

Studies foresee a dramatic increase in the elderly population of Western Europe over the next decades, putting pressure on healthcare systems. Healthcare robots are developed to facilitate independent living for elderly people. This article aims to provide a qualitative analysis of recent projects in healthcare robotics (2008–2024) and proposes new research directions for healthcare robots for older adults. We provide an overview of current research and a roadmap for upcoming research. Our study began with a literature search using four databases. Searches were performed for articles from research projects containing the words “elderly care,” “assisted aging,” “health monitoring,” or “elderly health.” Additional exclusion criteria were used to focus on elderly healthcare and utilization of commercial robotic systems. Resulting from this endeavor, 20 recent research projects are described and categorized in this article. Then, these projects were analyzed using thematic analysis. Our findings are summarized in common themes: Most projects have a strong bias towards care robots’ functionalities; robots are often seen as outsiders in care settings; there is an emphasis on robots as commercial products; and there is some limited attention to the design and ethical aspects of care robots, but very little attention to their legal aspects. The article concludes with key points representing a roadmap for future research addressing robotics for the elderly.