Post on 28-Jul-2020
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.
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
Mobiserv
Intelligent (home) care for (semi) independent living for older adults – focus on health, nutrition, well-being, and safety.
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
CompanionAble
Social robot & smart environment to support people with mild cognitive impairments in their daily life.
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
VictoryaHome
Social support for independence and wellbeing, by means of smart devices and a telepresence robot.
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
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
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
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
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
Smart Home + Robot + Services
Smart home
Call centre
Smart clothes
Video calling
Carers
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
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
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
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
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
Some Examples
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
Other Requirements
Usability & accessibility
User acceptation
Safety & privacy
Training needs
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
Prototypes & Evaluations
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
Video
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
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
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
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
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
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.”
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
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.”
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
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
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
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
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
Pilot MAX: why?
Could have a positive effect on quality of life
Affect day-night rhythm
Change moods
Change behaviour
Support professional carers
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
Examples Would you like to see some
photos?
Shall we listen to some music?
Look, I have a game for you!
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
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?”
Smart Homes
Expert Centre on Home Automation & Smart Living
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
h.vdheuvel@smart-homes.nl
www.smart-homes.nl
@SmartHomesNL