Developing a telepresence robot for interpersonal communication with the elderly in a home environment

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Gerontology

Background:

• Telepresence technology integrates virtual reality, human-system interfaces, communication, and robotics.
• Existing methods for elderly communication and monitoring have limitations.
• There is a need for accessible solutions to support independent living for seniors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a low-cost, lightweight telepresence robot (TRIC) for interpersonal communication with the elderly in their homes.
• To enable continuous communication and monitoring between elderly individuals and their loved ones or caregivers.
• To enhance the elderly's ability to interact and maintain social connections while remaining at home.

Main Methods:

• Design and development of the Telepresence Robot for Interpersonal Communication (TRIC).
• Integration of autonomous behaviors to enhance user self-projection and robot operation.
• Incorporation of human factors considerations for intuitive interaction.
• Technical development and module integration specific to TRIC's functionality.

Main Results:

• Preliminary tests demonstrated users could effectively navigate TRIC.
• New users successfully located visual targets with ease.
• The robot's design focused on user capability and interactive potential.

Conclusions:

• TRIC offers a promising solution for improving communication and monitoring for the elderly at home.
• The robot's design emphasizes user-friendliness and enhanced interaction.
• Future applications may include tele-health monitoring and tele-homecare visits, further supporting the elderly population.