Ethical Design of Social Robots in Aged Care: A Literature Review Using an Ethics of Care Perspective

Abstract With interest growing in social robots for older people, it is crucial to consider how robots can be designed to support wellbeing and ethical values in residential aged care. By applying Tronto’s ethics of care framework and the Care Centred Value-Sensitive Design methodology to existing literature, this paper investigates how caring values are expressed, achieved, or undermined in interactions among older adults, caregivers, and social robots in real-world aged care practices. We conducted a comprehensive review of 18 qualitative and mixed-method studies on the deployment of humanoid social robots in residential aged care settings. Our analysis of the literature through a care ethics lens identified ways in which robots may either augment or limit care. The analysis particularly highlights the ethical importance of effective collaboration among robots, caregivers, and designers. We argue that a care ethics framework can enhance such collaboration and thereby promote good care. We further propose four design principles to guide designers in integrating care ethics into robot design requirements. These practical principles should help to promote the wellbeing of both residents and caregivers in aged care.