Companion robots may help socially isolated people avoid the health risks of being alone

A recent study by Auckland, Duke, and Cornell Universities proposes that in the future, artificially intelligent companion robots could potentially assist in mitigating the prevalent issue of social isolation.

In the Science Robotics publication of July 12, the researchers' findings highlight the ethical factors relevant to governments, policymakers, technologists, and clinicians. The report emphasizes the need for these stakeholders to collaborate swiftly in establishing comprehensive principles regarding trust, autonomy, interaction, and practical effectiveness.

It also proposes a new way to measure whether a companion robot is helping someone.

Murali Doraiswamy, MBBS, FRCP, a professor of Psychiatry and Geriatrics at Duke University and a member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, asserts that current evidence supports the notion that having a genuine human friend is the optimal remedy. However, in the absence of prioritized social connectedness and comprehensive eldercare, companion robots emerge as a viable option for the countless isolated individuals who lack alternative solutions.

As per the Survey Center on American Life, the count of Americans devoid of intimate companions has multiplied by four since 1990. The escalating prevalence of loneliness and social isolation holds the potential to impact approximately one-third of the global population and has grave implications for health. Such consequences include heightened susceptibility to mental illness, obesity, dementia, and premature mortality. The U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., has gone so far as to suggest that loneliness can be as detrimental to health as smoking cigarettes, underlining its pernicious nature.

While it is increasingly difficult to make new friends as an adult to help offset loneliness, making a companion robot to support socially isolated older adults may prove to be a promising solution.

Elizabeth Broadbent, Ph.D., a professor of Psychological Medicine at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, emphasizes the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance companion robots with advanced abilities for fostering social connections. However, she urges caution in the development process, stressing the importance of incorporating ethical guidelines to ensure the moral and trustworthy nature of these robots.

Social robots like ElliQ have engaged in numerous interactions with human users, with a substantial portion dedicated to providing companionship, such as enjoying a cup of tea or coffee together. Extensive research on companion robots reveals that they have the potential to alleviate stress, combat loneliness, and contribute to the well-being of older individuals, enabling them to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle within the comfort of their own homes.

Recent iterations of robots equipped with advanced AI systems exhibit the potential to establish more profound social bonds with humans compared to earlier robot generations. The integration of generative AI, such as ChatGPT, which relies on extensive language models, enables robots to engage in spontaneous and natural conversations. Moreover, these advanced AI capabilities even facilitate the replication of the voices of departed loved ones, allowing for a sense of familiarity and connection.

The authors of the report also highlight the positive reception of social robots among healthcare professionals. A Sermo survey conducted among 307 care providers in Europe and the United States revealed that 69% of physicians agreed that companion robots could offer companionship, alleviate isolation, and potentially enhance patients' mental well-being. Additionally, 70% of doctors believed that insurance companies should cover the expenses associated with companion robots if they demonstrate effectiveness as supplements for friendship. However, accurately measuring the impact of a robot's influence remains a complex challenge.

The challenge of measuring the impact of companion robots emphasizes the importance of creating patient-rated outcome measures. The authors of the report are actively working on developing such a measure called the "Companion Robot Impact Scale" (Co-Bot-I-7). This scale aims to assess the effects of companion robots on physical health and loneliness. Preliminary findings suggest that companion machines may already be demonstrating effectiveness in addressing these areas. By implementing reliable measurement tools like the Co-Bot-I-7, researchers can gain deeper insights into the tangible benefits provided by companion robots.

Early results from Broadbent’s lab, for example, find that amiable androids help reduce stress and even promote skin healing after a minor wound.

“With the right ethical guidelines,” the authors conclude in their report, “we may be able to build on current work to use robots to create a healthier society.”

In addition to Dr. Doraiswamy and Professor Broadbent, study authors include Mark Billinghurst, Ph.D., and Samantha Boardman, M.D.

Professor Broadbent and Dr. Doraiswamy have served as advisors to Sermo and technology companies. Dr. Doraiswamy, Professor Broadbent, and Dr. Boardman are co-developers of the Co-Bot-I-7 scale.