The Human Support Robot (HSR) could be ready for hospitals and rest homes in two or three years to do simple tasks like tidying up or delivering meals. For machines with more profound skills, the wait will be longer. They need to be able to understand what people are thinking and have empathy. The idea is for the robot to be a friend.

I hope the robot assigned to me when I’m too old to take care of myself tells jokes!

about the dumbest thing I've ever heard - Japanese have never be able to have empathy with foreigners but will require it of a machine? gimme a break

Worked at a hospital near here where new ownership stepped in, fired the team of caring and loving staff in the geriatric wing who had been built up over many years, and introduced robotic walkers etc. No more proper nightly baths any more for example, just occasional body wipes. Naturally the reputation of the place soon went straight down the drain.

No, thank you.