social companion robots for people with (early) dementia · smart homes expert centre on home...

Stichting Smart Homes

Dutch Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living

Social companion robots for people with (early) dementia

Herjan van den Heuvel – Smart Homes

Smart Homes

Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living

Social Companion Robots Robots that support you, and help your family to be there for you.

Design researchers at Smart Homes develop robotic concepts and services, and evaluate them with potential end-users, their family, and their caregivers.

Working in close collaboration with technology partners and care organizations, we are trying to make and shape the future.

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Mobiserv

Intelligent (home) care for (semi) independent living for older adults – focus on health, nutrition, well-being, and safety.

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CompanionAble

Social robot & smart environment to support people with mild cognitive impairments in their daily life.

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VictoryaHome

Social support for independence and wellbeing, by means of smart devices and a telepresence robot.

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VictoryaHome

A support system that monitors health and safety, and facilitates social contact.

• Pilot: January – December 2015

• 40 families – more than 100 users

• Netherlands, Portugal,

Norway, Sweden

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From user needs to system requirements

Qualitative & Quantitative data analysis

Key themes Scenarios &

use cases

Personas End user

characteristics System

requirements

Functions

Observations, interviews, questionnaires, cultural

probes, focus groups

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Smart Home + Robot + Services

Smart home

Call centre

Smart clothes

Video calling

Carers

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Functions / Services

Being a companion: Keeping an eye

Initiating activities Offering structure during the day

Reminding about appointments / things to do

Reminding after interruptions / when leaving the home

Offering cognitive games, photos, and music

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Functions / Services

Nutrition coach (with eating/drinking observation)

Personal health coach (with activity recognition & vital signs monitoring)

Social coach, with video communication to family, friends and carers

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Some Examples

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Other Requirements

Usability & accessibility

User acceptation

Safety & privacy

Training needs

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Prototypes & Evaluations

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Video

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Main Findings Functionalities highly valued: Stimulating, motivating, supporting

Keeping people active – physically, mentally, and socially

Taking initiatives Offering structure

Other aspects highly appreciated: Companionship

Natural interaction

Empowerment & peace of mind

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Main Findings

Forget all stereotypes about robots Before pilot tests: people expect physical tasks During tests: people start calling it a ‘buddy’ by themselves

Empowers people and their partners / informal carers

Personalisation is of major importance

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Some quotes

“It should be used for guarding, signaling, stimulating,

exercising, keeping me awake, etc.”

“The robot calling the emergency

services – that is most important.”

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Some quotes

“The more initiative the robot takes, the

more enjoyable it is.”

“It should say something nice every now

and then, a little more playful. A nice

expression, something original, something

you do not hear every day.”

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True ‘companion’?

Knows you, your preferences and needs Is there when you need it If not > in the background, but close

Reminding, responding, anticipating, taking initiatives

This requires: Awareness of context and behaviour The right dialogue and robot character Function-transcending behaviour

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Pilot MAX

Social buddy for people with severe dementia

Robot drives around in the living room, and: Plays music / videos / shows photos Approaches people, addresses them

Shows personal photos Asks questions Plays games with people

Keeps people active and alert

Acts as an addition to / support of the activity leaders

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Pilot MAX: why?

Could have a positive effect on quality of life

Affect day-night rhythm

Change moods

Change behaviour

Support professional carers

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Examples Would you like to see some

photos?

Shall we listen to some music?

Look, I have a game for you!

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Pilot MAX: observations People are not afraid, they listen, react, and talk to the robot

The presence of MAX enlivens people

Works individually, but also initiates conversations between clients

Some carers are sceptical, but this changes over time; “There is a positive energy.” “When will it be on the market?”

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The future?

Smart Homes is looking for ways to continue development of the Mobiserv services

Make improvements based on our findings Improve and extend together with family and carers

Run long-term pilot studies At home & in care homes Also for other target groups?

Stichting Smart Homes

Dutch Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living

[email protected]

www.smart-homes.nl

@SmartHomesNL

social companion robots for people with (early) dementia · smart homes expert centre on home...

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