Robots Will Transform Your Retirement! Will "Humans + Robots" Support Your Later Years? Possibilities and Limitations Seen from the Field

Amid global aging and a shortage of caregiving personnel, the implementation of caregiving robots is advancing in the UK and Japan. While their applications are expanding to include walking assistance, conversation and exercise encouragement, and therapeutic uses, there are also numerous challenges, such as the burden of cleaning, charging, and maintenance falling back on the caregivers. Recent research indicates emotional effects on elderly individuals with dementia, but ethical and legal frameworks, as well as "human-centered operational design," are essential. On social media, public opinion is divided into "optimistic," "cautious," and "realistic" perspectives, with persistent concerns about subscription costs and reliability. Successful implementation hinges on clearly defining roles for "humans + robots," along with clarifying objectives, KPIs, and safety standards.