Socially Assistive Robots represent a valid solution for improving the quality of life and the mood of older adults. In this context, this work presents the CloudIA robot, a non-human-like robot intended to promote sociality and well-being among older adults. The design of the robot and of the provided services were carried out by a multidisciplinary team of designers and technology developers in tandem with professional caregivers. The capabilities of the robot were implemented according to the received guidelines and tested in two nursing facilities by 15 older people. Qualitative and quantitative metrics were used to investigate the engagement of the participants during the interaction with the robot, and to investigate any differences in the interaction during the proposed activities. The results highlighted the general tendency of humanizing the robotic platform and demonstrated the feasibility of introducing the CloudIA robot in support of the professional caregivers' work. From this pilot test, further ideas on improving the personalization of the robotic platform emerged.

As technology and automation rapidly remake a very different future of work, some economists predict that women will benefit the most from the coming disruptions. Although women have no doubt been hardest hit by the COVID-19 economy, in the coming years, women-dominated caring jobs--like nursing, teaching, and providing child and elder care--that aren't easily replaced by machines will be among the fastest-growing occupations and thus more likely to be "future-proof." It's not that many women's jobs won't be automated away. Just as men-dominated mechanical and machine operating jobs are predicted to disappear, so too are women-dominated administrative and clerical jobs. But most of these future-of-work predictions assume women will continue to dominate the care economy. And all because men aren't expected to care.