Abstract:
The integration of robotics into elderly care represents a dynamic research field, driven by the growing demand for home-based healthcare services. The study delves into robotic technology’s role in supporting elderly individuals within their homes, offering a significant advancement to the field by introducing a comprehensive and operational architecture within the Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT). This architecture integrates robots, sensors, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for continuous health monitoring of elderly patients. The research presents a system incorporating four main entities: a stationary humanoid robot, elderly individuals, medical professionals, and caregivers. This arrangement facilitates continuous monitoring of seniors’ physical and psychological well-being through vital sign sensors, delivering real-time information to health providers for timely and precise interventions.
The objective is to develop a cohesive system that combines robots, sensors, and AI to provide extensive in-home care for seniors, thereby reducing their need for hospitalization. The approach is notably user-centered, involving geriatric specialists from the beginning to assess their willingness to embrace this intelligent system and identify the elderly’s most pressing concerns. The humanoid robot is designed for intimate interaction with senior users, tracking their vital signs, emotional and cognitive states, aiding with daily tasks, and alerting medical staff and family members to any anomalies. Communication is further facilitated by an external Telegram bot.
Moreover, a machine learning model was crafted to predict the health status of elderly individuals, based on the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS), a recognized medical scoring framework. The findings from this study illuminate the substantial support the proposed system can provide to doctors, caregivers, and elderly persons alike, bringing to light five essential insights regarding its practical advantages.