Table 3 Responses to open question on ethical concerns of companion robot use with older people (%) (Q5)
Response | N (%) | Examples | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Concern | 20 (30) | Concern | N | |
Batteries | 2 | “Emotional distress if the batteries ran out” | ||
Malfunction | 1 | “What happens if they malfunction?” | ||
Human Contact | 7 | “Might encourage people to be distant from the elderly” | ||
Robustness | 1 | “Toughness, can they withstand a fall?” | ||
Deception | 4 | “They could become confused as to whether the robot was real or not” | ||
Privacy | 1 | “Should not be connected to net (privacy)” | ||
Danger | 2 | “Tripping/falling” | ||
Dignity | 2 | “They may try to feed or walk them, potential embarrassment” | ||
Infantilisation | 1 | “May feel patronised, belittled with a fluffy toy” | ||
No Concern | 40 (60) | “No” “None” “No, it seems very safe” | ||
Unsure | 2 (3) | “I don’t know” “Not sure” | ||
No Response | 5 (7) | |||