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Introduction to the special issue on robotics for health care

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2009

Michael Kassler
Michael Kassler
Affiliation:
Michael Kassler and Associates Pty Limited, Suite 22 West Cresecent Street, McMahons Point NSW 2060 (Australia)
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Extract

Robots in the 20th century have been valued mainly for their enhancement of productivity. According to Professor Ichiro Kato of Waseda University, 21st-century robots will be valued because they enhance amenity. The development of robot systems for health care, detailed in this special issue of Robotica, is an affirmation of this forecast.

Several factors have combined to cause this development, although economic factors are paramount. Industrialised countries, where robots are most likely to be used, face an ageing population-a result of lower birth rates, reduced infant mortality and increased life expectancy. This ‘ageing society' is expected to have enormous impact upon these countries’ health and social security systems which devote a large proportion of their resources to the care of older people.

Type
Research Article
Information
Robotica , Volume 11 , Issue 6 , November 1993 , pp. 493 - 494
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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References

1.Kato, I., “Toward the age of My Robots” Proc. 20th Intl Symposium on Industrial Robots, Tokyo, JapanIndustrial Robot Association (1989) pp. 3–13.Google Scholar
2.Rabischong, P., keynote address to the Robotics for Health Care Seminar, Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia (14 09, 1992).Google Scholar
3.Challenge to the Micro-Universe. Introduction to Micromachine Center (Tokyo, Micromachine Center, 1992).Google Scholar