Huggable integrated socially assistive robots: exploring the potential and challenges for sustainable use in...

With ageing populations and decreasing numbers of care personnel, care technologies such as socially assistive robots offer innovative solutions for healthcare workers and older adults, supporting ageing in place. Among others, SARs are used for both daytime structure support and social companionship, particularly benefiting people with dementia by providing structure in earlier stages of the disease and comfort in later stages. This research introduces the concept of Huggable Integrated SARs (HI-SAR): a novel subtype of SARs combining a soft, comforting, huggable form with integrated socially assistive functionalities, such as verbal prompts for daytime structure, interactive companionship, and activity monitoring via sensor data, enabling the possibility of more context-aware interaction. While HI-SARs have shown promise in Asian care contexts, real-world application and potential in diverse long-term care contexts remain limited and underexplored. This research investigates the potential of HI-SARs in Dutch healthcare settings (eldercare, disability care, and rehabilitation) through three studies conducted between September 2023 and December 2024. Study I examined HI-SAR functions and integration in Dutch care practice via focus groups with professionals, innovation managers, and older adults (N = 36). Study II explored user preferences through sessions with clients with intellectual disabilities and professionals (N = 32). Study III involved two case studies in care settings with clients and caregivers (N = 4). Results indicate that HI-SARs were generally well-received by professionals and older adults, who appreciated their support for daily routines and social engagement, particularly for clients with cognitive disabilities such as dementia. However, concerns were raised about hygiene, the functioning of activity monitoring, and limited interactivity. Based on these findings, we recommend four design and implementation strategies to improve the effectiveness of HI-SARs: (1) integrating personalisation options such as customizable voices to increase user acceptance; (2) optimising activity monitoring by simplifying data output and using sensor input more proactively to trigger interactions; (3) considering persons with cognitive impairments as a first target user group; and (4) encouraging individual use to enhance hygiene and tailor experiences to client needs. Overall, this research demonstrates the potential of HI-SARs in diverse long-term care settings, although further research is needed to explore their applicability, usability, and long-term impact.