Automated Care in New Zealand

摘要

With the growing speed of automation, robots are taking on social care roles. In retirement villages and activity centers for older adults in New Zealand, the robotic seal Paro has become a valuable unpaid staff member contributing to the social life of people who struggle with the effects of dementia. This study aimed to investigate the role of Paro as an agent of care during a time with a steady push towards automation and digitalization of welfare services in New Zealand. As a part of the study four care workers, a family member of a former resident, and three researchers from aNew Zealand based robotics research group participated in in-depth interviews pertaining to the participant's own experiences, opinions, and motivations for using or working with social robots. Results found that Paro was used to increase residents' quality of life rather than reasons of automation for profit.