A Robotic Coach Architecture for Elder Care (ROCARE) Based on Multi-User Engagement Models

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Robotics
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Aging populations face increasing medical conditions and impairments, necessitating advanced technological solutions.
• Socially assistive robotics offer potential to address physical, cognitive, and social needs of older adults.
• Existing systems primarily focus on one-on-one human-robot interaction (HRI).

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the ROCARE system architecture, a multi-user engagement-based robotic coach.
• To enable both one-on-one and multi-user HRI with implicit and explicit communication.
• To support individualized activity management for sustained engagement in older adults.

Main Methods:

• Development of the ROCARE system architecture.
• Conducting a one-on-one feasibility study.
• Conducting a triadic (two humans, one robot) feasibility study.

Main Results:

• ROCARE demonstrated capability for both one-on-one and multi-user HRI.
• Preliminary studies indicated potential usefulness of the system for older adults.
• The system showed acceptance among older adults, including those with cognitive impairments.

Conclusions:

• The ROCARE system architecture supports diverse human-robot interaction scenarios for older adults.
• Multi-user engagement through robotics is a viable approach to enhance quality of life for the aging population.
• Further research and development of ROCARE are warranted based on positive feasibility outcomes.