Robotic Companions for Older People: A Case Study in the Wild
Nicola Doering1, Katja Richter1, Horst-Michael Gross2
1TU Ilmenau, Media Psychology and Media Design Group.
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
|January 23, 2016
Summary
This study explored how older adults use and accept mobile service robots at home. Findings show robots have significant potential to assist with daily living for seniors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Robotics
Background:
- Older adults often face challenges with new technologies and are less tolerant of device failures.
- Personalized adaptation is crucial for technology designed to assist seniors in daily life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate individual usage patterns and acceptance of a mobile service robot in the homes of older adults.
- To gain in-depth insights into user experience and usability within real-life settings.
Main Methods:
- A case study approach was employed, focusing on three participants aged 67, 78, and 85 living independently.
- Data collection involved observing and analyzing the use of a mobile service robot in the participants' own apartments.
Main Results:
- The case studies revealed distinct individual usage patterns among older adults interacting with the robot.
- Usability and user experience findings indicated a positive reception and considerable potential for robot acceptance.
Conclusions:
- Mobile service robots demonstrate significant potential for supporting older adults' daily living at home.
- The study highlights the importance of user-centered design and adaptation to heterogeneous user needs for technology acceptance in this demographic.
