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Development of Rehabilitation and Assistive Robots in China: Dilemmas and Solutions

康复与辅助机器人在中国的发展:困境与对策

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Abstract

China is rapidly becoming an aging society, leading to a significant demand for chronic disease management and personalized healthcare. The development of rehabilitation and assistive robotics in China has gathered significant attention not only in research fields but also in industries. Such robots aim to either guide patients in completing therapeutic training or assist people with impaired functions in performing their daily activities. In the past decades, we have witnessed the advancement in rehabilitation and assistive robotics, with diverse mechanical designs, functionalities, and purposes. However, the construction of dedicated regulations and policies is relatively lagged compared with the flourishing development in research fields. Moreover, these kinds of robots are working or collaborating closely with human beings, bringing unprecedented considerations on ethical issues. This paper aims to provide an overview of major dilemmas in the development of rehabilitation and assistive robotics in China and propose several potential solutions.

摘要

中国正在迅速进入老龄化社会,因此对慢性疾病管理和个性化医疗产生了巨大需求。在中国,康复和辅助机器人的发展在研究和工业领域都受到了极大的关注。康复和辅助机器人可以帮助指导患者完成康复训练,也能协助功能受损的人进行日常活动。在过去的几十年里,我们见证了具有不同的功能和用途的康复和辅助机器人的发展。然而,与研究领域的蓬勃发展相比,专门的法规和政策建设相对滞后。由于康复和辅助机器人需要与人类密切合作和互动,所以在相关伦理问题和法律法规方面建设带来了前所未有的挑战。本文旨在概述中国康复和辅助机器人主要发展困境,并提出相应的潜在对策。

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Administration, Party School of CPC Hangzhou Committee, Hangzhou, 310024, China

    Lingling Zhao  (赵玲玲)

  2. Institute of Medical Robotics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Yao Guo  (郭遥)

Authors
  1. Lingling Zhao  (赵玲玲)
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  2. Yao Guo  (郭遥)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lingling Zhao  (赵玲玲).

Additional information

Foundation item: the Zhejiang Provincial Philosophy and Social Science Foundation (No. 22NDQN293YB), and the Fund of the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (No. 20DZ2220400)

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Zhao, L., Guo, Y. Development of Rehabilitation and Assistive Robots in China: Dilemmas and Solutions. J. Shanghai Jiaotong Univ. (Sci.) 28, 382–390 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12204-023-2596-9

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