Ubiquitous robotics to support older adults with dementia

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Dementia affects more than 35 million people worldwide, and experts predict this number will almost double every 20 years. Robotics is viewed as a viable technology in the support of older adults with dementia, with a significant market available through home, community, and institutional channels. However, we have yet to see an effective robotics system for this demographic made available on the market. The reason for this lack of market uptake is hypothesized to be two-fold: 1) existing systems do not include the diverse functionality necessary to truly support older adults with dementia; and 2) current platforms are too expensive to use by older adults and their families in their own homes. This has resulted in a growing market need not being addressed.