Evaluating Human-Robot Interaction With a Socially Assistive Robot in Pediatric Health Care: Mixed Methods Pilot Study
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 8, 2026
Application of Bedside Lower Extremity Rehabilitation Robots in Stroke Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Published on: November 28, 2025
Janika Leoste1,2, Slavko Rakić1,3, Kristel Marmor1
1IT College, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate Tee 5, Tallinn, Harjumaa, 19086, Estonia.
Background:
Socially assistive robots are increasingly explored in health care, but evidence from routine pediatric outpatient settings remains limited.
Objective:
This study examined how contextual support and human facilitation shaped visitor interaction with the Temi V3 robot and which sociotechnical conditions were associated with practical acceptance according to staff.
Methods:
A mixed methods pilot combined structured behavioral observation across baseline, poster support, and staff facilitation conditions with 4 staff focus group interviews. The observation unit was a visitor passage through the lobby zone; the qualitative sample comprised 12 staff members with direct exposure to the robot. Quantitative indicators were analyzed descriptively, and staff interviews underwent deductive-inductive qualitative content analysis.
Results:
In total, 675 visitor passages (children: n=398, 59% and adults: n=277, 41%) were recorded (baseline: n=257; poster support: n=160; and staff facilitation: n=258). Looking at the robot increased from 8 (3.1%) passages at baseline to 30 (18.8%) with poster support and 80 (31%) with staff facilitation. Screen or app use increased from 2 (0.8%) passages at baseline to 4 (2.5%) with poster support and 14 (5.4%) with staff facilitation. Observer notes indicated stronger visible responsiveness among children, although age category was not linked to individual behavior codes. Staff emphasized role clarity, child and family value, human mediation, functional reliability, multilingual content, and organizational ownership.
Conclusions:
Observed visitor interaction was higher with poster support and staff facilitation than at baseline. These descriptive findings and staff perceptions informed a provisional 4-domain framework comprising role clarity, interaction affordance, social mediation, and organizational embedding. The framework identifies potential implementation priorities; visitors' own experiences and acceptance require direct assessment.