Abstract
This study aims to explore and describe the perspectives of older people with disabilities and their carers/helping professionals on the prospect of humanoid robotic sexual assistance for older people with disabilities. A qualitative study was conducted with older people with disabilities and their carers’ and/or helping professionals living in old age homes or having daily activities at day care centres. An exploratory and descriptive qualitative approach was applied throughout the study. The study depended on non-numerical data that focused on the experiences and perceptions of the participants. A qualitative systematic review was conducted, as well as in-depth semi-structured face-to-face and online interviews with both OPwDs/PwDs and their carers. The data collected was analysed through thematic analysis.
The findings of the study are presented in the form of two articles, an introductory chapter, and a concluding chapter that provides recommendations on how humanoid robots can be offered as sexual assistants or as a form of sexual aid for older people with disabilities.
The first article is an in-depth review of the literature on the different types of humanoid robots that have been developed and constantly upgraded to meet the needs of different kinds of consumers across all ages. The review outlines features and technologies more suitable for the elderly, and which might be more compatible to become future companionships and multipurpose robotics.
Chapter 3 contains article 2, which presents the perspectives of older people with disabilities/people with disabilities (OPwDs/PwDs) and those of their carers/helping professionals on the prospect of humanoid robotic sexual assistance for OPwDs. The article showcases data to support the potential use of humanoid robots as sexual assistance for OPwDs.
The final chapter provides the conclusions and recommendations on how humanoid robots can be adopted as a tool for the sexual assistance of OPwDs.