The Perspectives of Stakeholders on Users of Care Robotics at the Intersection of Age and Gender - Results of a Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

Having to face the challenges posed by a shortage of skilled care workers and an increasing number of older people in need of care, policy makers and economic enterprises perceive care robotics as a promising solution. However, studies have shown that potential users have little interest in technology and that technology developers have little knowledge about the needs and wishes of potential users. Against this background, this paper explores, based on 16 qualitative interviews with stakeholders from the area of technology development, marketing, and nursing care (science), which assumptions and expectations regarding age and gender of users are relevant in this field. The results revealed three perspectives of the stakeholders regarding the users of care robotics: 1) the need to take age and gender in development and implementation of care robotics was acknowledged, 2) the relevance of other social categories, such as education, culture and illness, was mentioned, and 3) the relevance of social categories was rejected altogether. These results are discussed in the context of discourses about diversity in care-robotics and conclusions are drawn for user-centred and diversity-sensitive technology development and implementation.