Discovering Humanoid Robot Consciousness Within Caring Science.

Why would humanoid caring robots (HCRs) need consciousness? Because HCRs need to be gentle like human beings. In addition, HCRs need to be trusted by their patients, and have a shared understanding of patients' life experiences, their illnesses, and their treatments. HCRs need to express "competency...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International Journal for Human Caring Vol. 23; no. 2; pp. 121 - 132
Main Authors: Yueren Zhao, Yoshihiro Kai, Tetsuya Tanioka
Format: Journal Article
Published: Springer Publishing Company, Inc. 2019
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
Description
Summary:Why would humanoid caring robots (HCRs) need consciousness? Because HCRs need to be gentle like human beings. In addition, HCRs need to be trusted by their patients, and have a shared understanding of patients' life experiences, their illnesses, and their treatments. HCRs need to express "competency as caring" to naturally convey their nursing as healing to patients and their families. HCRs should also have self-consciousness and express their emotions without needing inducement by persons' behaviors. Artificial "brains" and artificial consciousness are therefore necessary for HCRs. The purpose of this article was to explore humanoid consciousness and the possibilities of a technologically enhanced future with HCRs as participants in the care of human persons.