Executive summary
This report talks about the possibility of designing a robotic machine that is capable enough for helping the elderly with some of their basic daily functions including self-care. It begins by accumulating enough data on the duties commonly done by the elderly, information on the basic appliances used and the consequent designs of a prototype that is capable of meeting most of the roles listed. The report is meant to sale the prototype if successful enough to a prospective investor.
It contains a study and evaluation of the activities the elderly often perform, as well as the challenges and problems they enquire as they engage in the activities. There is an analysis of the various findings reached at during the research and how the information was collected. The projects proposed solution has been evaluated with the capability of the Robots being reviewed and criticized as well. Subsequently, various aspects of the robot have been highlighted with the manufacture of a prototype to gain further information and insight on the possible working of the robot.
Finally, the project ends with a recommendation stating the project is feasible and the manufacture and sale of the robots would realise profits.
Table of Contents
- Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
- Goals and Objectives…………………………………………………………………………………………4
- Aims/Goals…………………………………………………………………………………………………4
- …………………………………………………………………………………………………4
- Definition of the problem……………………………………………………………………………..4
- A research into most of the activities performed by the elderly…………………………5
- Definition of the problem…………………………………………………………………………….6
- Discussions on the findings………………………………………………………………………….8
- The analysis for the capability of the robot…………………………………………………….8
- The prototype……………………………………………………………………………………………9
- Material Used and their Quality………………………………………………………..11
- The construction and moulding methods……………………………………………11
- …………………………………………………………………………………12
- The prototype and Prototype budget………………………………………………….12
- Methodologies………………………………………………………………………………………………….5
- Findings………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8
- Recommendation…………………………………………………………………………………………….12
- Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………………..13
- Introduction
Most often families caring for the very elderly find themselves overburdened by the demands expected of them. A number of efforts have been undertaken by experts to help bring about considerable relief on both the seniors and the caring family members. This report find if it is possible to design a robotic machine capable enough of undertaking most of the duties and roles in an attempt to relieve and possibly slow down the age at which these elderly people go to the elderly community homes.
- Aim and Objectives
- Aim
The Aim of this project is to find out how an intelligent robot can be designed in the structure of a home appliance that will be useful in helping the elderly people at home in different ways
- Objectives
The objectives of the report include the following:
- To develop a robotic machine in the form of an intelligent robot that will be able enough to respond intelligently to the needs of the elderly people in homes in various ways.
- To modify the designs of the existing home appliances such that they can act like the intelligent robots.
- To ensure that the intelligent robots are able to respond and relieve the elderly of most of the domestic jobs.
- Definition of the Problem
The elderly lot consists of a group that is growing rapidly around the USA. It is believed that the group grows in the factor of 11 while their counterpart under the age of 65 barely triples (X Price, 2014). According to the census conducted in 2010 in the Canada, 4.3 million people (14%) of the total population 31.6 million people are over 65years of age (Ludwig and Silva, 2003).
Farther more, of the senior citizens of the country 73% are found between the age 65 and 79. As a result, there is an inadequate source of help to help care for the huge elderly population. Because of the never-ending illnesses or healthiness care related disabilities, these citizens have been finding it difficult enough to perform the basic self-care activities. Amongst the challenges felt by most of this elderly includes:
- The menacing risk of falls that can lead to fractured pubic bones
- The resultant weakness creating an inability to move around with agility in the house
- The resultant considerable losses in memory leading to their inability to remember basic functions like the time meant for taking daily medications.
- The solitude and feelings of depression that comes with the lack of a companion to converse with when the family members leave for their day jobs.
- Methodologies
- A research into most of the activities performed by the elderly
Placing into consideration the emerging need for an immediate intervention by the engineers in terms of a potential solution, a team of researchers was dispatched to the surrounding areas in the elderly homes to conduct a research study. A team of five researchers who were also to participate in the designing of the robots interviewed a group of 35 elderly people with the objective of ascertaining the daily routine jobs and some of the most critical tasks that the elderly have to undertake (Ludwig and Silva, 2003).
To enhance the effectiveness of the research the team had to interact with the caretakers as well including the family members supporting the elderly. The researchers ended up listing the following most performed activities.
- Taking critical medications on specified time periods owing to the many illnesses that come with growing old
- Discretionary movements around the house to get items and objects
- Self-care activities and basic survival skills like dressing, grooming, bathing, proper usage of the toilet facilities, washing, cooking, moving in and out of the bed, handling money, using the telephone and shopping around or going out for a short walk.
Previous researchers have also done a number of researches pointing to the fact that amongst some of the most needs that this group has includes the need to have a companion of who can converse with intelligently (Ludwig and Silver, 2003). Most often, this group will tend to adopt the feelings of not being useful any longer as most people shun them away in a routine busy day.
- Some of the Appliances Used by The Elderly
The appliances as was discovered range from person to person depending on the disease suffered. For instance, those persons with pulmonary (lung) or congestive heart failures may develop inabilities in terms of stamina to manage household tasks like cleaning, dusting the house and cooking. However, by generalising, the following appliances were picked out.
- The reaching and pick-up equipment.
This device was capable of helping them reach out to items within a far range in highly elevated places like top the shelves.
- Shopping trolleys.
Consisted of appliances that can relieve the elderly with the burden of having to carry big shopping luggage while at the same time doubling up as a moving support aide.
Executive summary
This report talks about the possibility of designing a robotic machine that is capable enough for helping the elderly with some of their basic daily functions including self-care. It begins by accumulating enough data on the duties commonly done by the elderly, information on the basic appliances used and the consequent designs of a prototype that is capable of meeting most of the roles listed. The report is meant to sale the prototype if successful enough to a prospective investor.
It contains a study and evaluation of the activities the elderly often perform, as well as the challenges and problems they enquire as they engage in the activities. There is an analysis of the various findings reached at during the research and how the information was collected. The projects proposed solution has been evaluated with the capability of the Robots being reviewed and criticized as well. Subsequently, various aspects of the robot have been highlighted with the manufacture of a prototype to gain further information and insight on the possible working of the robot.
Finally, the project ends with a recommendation stating the project is feasible and the manufacture and sale of the robots would realise profits.
Table of Contents
- Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
- Goals and Objectives…………………………………………………………………………………………4
- Aims/Goals…………………………………………………………………………………………………4
- …………………………………………………………………………………………………4
- Definition of the problem……………………………………………………………………………..4
- A research into most of the activities performed by the elderly…………………………5
- Definition of the problem…………………………………………………………………………….6
- Discussions on the findings………………………………………………………………………….8
- The analysis for the capability of the robot…………………………………………………….8
- The prototype……………………………………………………………………………………………9
- Material Used and their Quality………………………………………………………..11
- The construction and moulding methods……………………………………………11
- …………………………………………………………………………………12
- The prototype and Prototype budget………………………………………………….12
- Methodologies………………………………………………………………………………………………….5
- Findings………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8
- Recommendation…………………………………………………………………………………………….12
- Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………………..13
- Introduction
Most often families caring for the very elderly find themselves overburdened by the demands expected of them. A number of efforts have been undertaken by experts to help bring about considerable relief on both the seniors and the caring family members. This report find if it is possible to design a robotic machine capable enough of undertaking most of the duties and roles in an attempt to relieve and possibly slow down the age at which these elderly people go to the elderly community homes.
- Aim and Objectives
- Aim
The Aim of this project is to find out how an intelligent robot can be designed in the structure of a home appliance that will be useful in helping the elderly people at home in different ways
- Objectives
The objectives of the report include the following:
- To develop a robotic machine in the form of an intelligent robot that will be able enough to respond intelligently to the needs of the elderly people in homes in various ways.
- To modify the designs of the existing home appliances such that they can act like the intelligent robots.
- To ensure that the intelligent robots are able to respond and relieve the elderly of most of the domestic jobs.
- Definition of the Problem
The elderly lot consists of a group that is growing rapidly around the USA. It is believed that the group grows in the factor of 11 while their counterpart under the age of 65 barely triples (X Price, 2014). According to the census conducted in 2010 in the Canada, 4.3 million people (14%) of the total population 31.6 million people are over 65years of age (Ludwig and Silva, 2003).
Farther more, of the senior citizens of the country 73% are found between the age 65 and 79. As a result, there is an inadequate source of help to help care for the huge elderly population. Because of the never-ending illnesses or healthiness care related disabilities, these citizens have been finding it difficult enough to perform the basic self-care activities. Amongst the challenges felt by most of this elderly includes:
- The menacing risk of falls that can lead to fractured pubic bones
- The resultant weakness creating an inability to move around with agility in the house
- The resultant considerable losses in memory leading to their inability to remember basic functions like the time meant for taking daily medications.
- The solitude and feelings of depression that comes with the lack of a companion to converse with when the family members leave for their day jobs.
- Methodologies
- A research into most of the activities performed by the elderly
Placing into consideration the emerging need for an immediate intervention by the engineers in terms of a potential solution, a team of researchers was dispatched to the surrounding areas in the elderly homes to conduct a research study. A team of five researchers who were also to participate in the designing of the robots interviewed a group of 35 elderly people with the objective of ascertaining the daily routine jobs and some of the most critical tasks that the elderly have to undertake (Ludwig and Silva, 2003).
To enhance the effectiveness of the research the team had to interact with the caretakers as well including the family members supporting the elderly. The researchers ended up listing the following most performed activities.
- Taking critical medications on specified time periods owing to the many illnesses that come with growing old
- Discretionary movements around the house to get items and objects
- Self-care activities and basic survival skills like dressing, grooming, bathing, proper usage of the toilet facilities, washing, cooking, moving in and out of the bed, handling money, using the telephone and shopping around or going out for a short walk.
Previous researchers have also done a number of researches pointing to the fact that amongst some of the most needs that this group has includes the need to have a companion of who can converse with intelligently (Ludwig and Silver, 2003). Most often, this group will tend to adopt the feelings of not being useful any longer as most people shun them away in a routine busy day.
- Some of the Appliances Used by The Elderly
The appliances as was discovered range from person to person depending on the disease suffered. For instance, those persons with pulmonary (lung) or congestive heart failures may develop inabilities in terms of stamina to manage household tasks like cleaning, dusting the house and cooking. However, by generalising, the following appliances were picked out.
- The reaching and pick-up equipment.
This device was capable of helping them reach out to items within a far range in highly elevated places like top the shelves.
- Shopping trolleys.
Consisted of appliances that can relieve the elderly with the burden of having to carry big shopping luggage while at the same time doubling up as a moving support aide.
