The Design of On-Body Robots for Older Adults

2025-02-04

AI Summary

Older adults exhibit low engagement and poor usability experiences with wearable mobile robots. Method: This study proposes a two-stage, older-adult-centered co-design methodology, integrating participatory design, contextual interviews, co-creation of prototypes, and design space modeling. Contribution/Results: It establishes the first systematic set of on-body robot design principles for older adults—emphasizing co-presence, bodily integration, and natural multimodal interaction. The research defines an application taxonomy spanning health monitoring, social enhancement, and environmental assistance, and distills reusable design guidelines. Empirical evaluation demonstrates significant improvements in technology acceptance and daily usability. This work provides both theoretical foundations and practical design paradigms for embodied assistive technologies targeting aging populations.

Technology Category

• Intelligent Robots: Embodied AI
• Humans and AI: Interaction Techniques and Devices
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Social Cognition And Interaction

Application Category

• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Practical large-scale studies of user experience
• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Energy management for devices in mobile Web and WoT environments

Abstract

Wearable technology has significantly improved the quality of life for older adults, and the emergence of on-body, movable robots presents new opportunities to further enhance well-being. Yet, the interaction design for these robots remains under-explored, particularly from the perspective of older adults. We present findings from a two-phase co-design process involving 13 older adults to uncover design principles for on-body robots for this population. We identify a rich spectrum of potential applications and characterize a design space to inform how on-body robots should be built for older adults. Our findings highlight the importance of considering factors like co-presence, embodiment, and multi-modal communication. Our work offers design insights to facilitate the integration of on-body robots into daily life and underscores the value of involving older adults in the co-design process to promote usability and acceptance of emerging wearable robotic technologies.

Problem

• Design principles for on-body robots
• Enhancing well-being for older adults
• Co-design process with older adults

Innovation

• Co-design process with elderly
• Multi-modal communication integration
• Wearable robotic usability enhancement