Socio-technical imaginaries of social robots for older adults

Ahlin, T. (2026)

Article / Letter to editor

Although social robots are promoted as a technological solution for ageing populations, their development and integration are challenging. This paper analytically reviews social science research on social robots for elder care in two different socio-economic and political contexts, the Netherlands and India, focusing on socio-technical imaginaries in media, research, and policy. Grounded in science and technology studies, the notion of socio-technical imaginaries presumes the mutual shaping of technologies and people’s imagination. However, socio-technical imaginations of states, roboticists and the intended robot users are not always aligned. 

• Aging
• Social robots
• Sociotechnical imaginaries

• All authors: Ahlin, T.
• Date: 2026-02-28
• Journal: Economic and Political Weekly
• Volume: 61
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 99 - 104
• DOI: doi:10.71279/epw.v61i9.48327
• Link: https://www.epw.in/journal/2026/9/ageing-health-and-social-security/soci...
• Sponsorship: NWO
• Grant number: VI.Veni.241S.150