Writer: Nuttawut Kulkaew

Editor: Wittaya Wonglor

An aging, childless society and urban loneliness are growing trends in both developed and developing countries, especially among Generation Y. Born between 1981 and 1996, this generation aim to build their status by focusing on work, not getting married, and having no children. Prolonged lack of social interaction may cause loneliness, social isolation, and low self-worth, affecting how this group's lives in the future, especially as older adults.

A solution gaining more attention in many countries is using robots in everyday life to facilitate life and provide care for those living alone. Household robotics is expected to reach nearly $7 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 12.2% during 2022-28. Robot algorithms are being developed to resemble humans. Robots are now being used in the service business. Being alone may hold less fear with a trusted robot by one's side. FutureTales Lab explores 3 patterns of coexistence between humans and robots for better well-being in 2050.

1. Work

This relationship is currently the most common. Robots can be work tools, in industrial automation systems, for handling heavy loads, as assistants in the work process and the calculation and creation of future simulations. They can also be colleagues and personal assistants, such as a voice-recognized robot assistant or butler robot in intelligent homes. With humans as supervisors and controllers, this relationship improves human physical, occupational, financial, and environmental well-being. By 2035, robots will likely automate 30% of jobs worldwide to reduce the workload on humans

2. Caregiving

This relationship is expected to take off in the future, such as with therapeutic robots. Physical therapy robots will be able to link health data with fitness equipment and prostheses. Psychotherapist robots are being developed through operating systems mainly for chatbots. There are also acting, dancing, teaching, and caregiving robots. Research has found that more than 90% of us want to age in place in our own homes, with up to 70% of those aged 65 and over seeking long-term care. A caregiver relationship can fulfill more than physical, occupational, financial, and environmental needs. It can also improve the user’s intellectual and emotional well-being

3. Social

This unique relationship will completely change coexistence between humans and robots. By interacting with humans as friends or lovers, robots could help or harm emotional and spiritual well-being. Their presence or absence could cause love or loneliness, like feelings for a pet, acquaintance, friend, lover, or family member. A Japanese man has declared his love for a robot. Research institutes are trying to study and predict this relationship, especially when humanoid robots become more human-like. 72% of people have begun to think and worry about the interaction between themselves and robots.

Implications for the future:

- Beliefs and religion may influence the decision to live with robots. The appearance and operation of robots in each country must be designed to align with needs and lifestyles.

- Society will respond positively and negatively to robots in daily life at each phase. Governments and regulators must mediate the social reaction to avert panic or conflict. The private and education sectors will try to provide information to the public.

- Demands for robot rights will increase at the individual and organizational levels.

Read more: Lonely Death >> FB: https://bit.ly/3Xq7Dky, WEBSITE: https://www.futuretaleslab.com/articles/healtcare

Read more: Single Fabulous >> FB: https://bit.ly/3GFLcAP, WEBSITE: https://www.futuretaleslab.com/articles/singlefabulous

Reference:

- Where We Live, Where We Age: Trends in Home and Community Preferences https://www.aarp.org/research/topics/community/info-2021/2021-home-community-preferences.html

- อนาคตประชากรไทย: ในวันที่การตายมากกว่าการเกิด https://www.chula.ac.th/highlight/79067

- With 12.2% CAGR, Household Robots Market to Witness A Pronounce Growth During 2023-2028 https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/with-122-cagr-household-robots-market-to-witness-a-pronounce-growth-during-2023-2028-129-pages-report-2023-01-11

- Marriage with a robot - the future of humanity? https://leotronics.eu/en/blog/marriage-with-a-robot-the-future-of-humanity

- More than 70% of US fears robots taking over our lives, survey finds https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/04/robots-artificial-intelligence-machines-us-survey

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