PARTICIPATORY DESIGN: AN ESSENTIAL PROCESS FOR SOCIALLY ASSISTIVE ROBOTIC ACTIVITIES IN LONG-TERM CARE SETTINGS
AUTHORS
ABSTRACT
We conducted participatory design research for long term
care (LTC) socially assistive robotic activities comprised of
social, cognitive and physical components and enhanced
human-robot (HRI) and human-human interactions (HHI).
Repeated sessions were conducted with 10 geriatric experts
(physicians, activity directors, nurses, occupational therapist)
and 12 LTC residents (ages 70–92). Two robots, animal and
humanoid, were used in combination with virtual reality.
Four collaborative activities for paired older adults were designed and evaluated: playing drums to music, completing
paintings, a fishing game, and training a dog with simple
commands. Within each activity, three levels of difficulty
were designed. Stakeholder feedback was obtained through
observations and interviews. Numerous modifications were
made following each session that addressed hardware, software and activity issues. Modifications were necessary both
for the HRI and HHI aspects of the activity. Our experience
demonstrates the necessity for participatory design in the deployment of technology for LTC settings.