Robotics in social care : a connected care ecosystem for independent living

A priority for the UK government is to care for older people and those living with long-term conditions. Over 11 million people living in the UK are aged 65 or older. The latest projections are for this figure to reach 14 million by 2025 and almost 19 million by 2045. The number of individuals disabled by one or more long-term condition is also increasing, driven by overall population growth, improved health care and sedentary lifestyles. Caring for older people, particularly those with disabilities, places a significant strain on the economy. Innovation, including through advanced robotic and autonomous systems, can have an important role to play. A clear roadmap for a connected care system for independent living is important for providing long-term sustainable social care solutions for the UK. In this whitepaper, we look at the emerging crisis in UK social care and present our vision for creating a connected care ecosystem linking home, residential and hospital care as a continuum. Key research challenges for the future use of RAS in social care are discussed and the report also highlights the opportunities--as well as the associated ethical and societal issues--for researchers, policy-makers and all social care stakeholders to work together.