Abstract
This article shows our work for developing an elder care platform for social interaction and physical and cognitive stimulation using the Pepper robot and Android OS as clients, based on the knowledge acquired on our long-term social robotics research experience. The first results of the user’s acceptance of the solution are presented in this article. The platform is able to provide different services to the user, such as information, news, games, exercises or music. The games, which have a bi-modal way of interacting (speech and a touch screen interface), have been designed for cognitive stimulation based on the items of the mini-mental state examination. The results of the user’s performance are stored in a cloud database and can be reviewed by therapists through a web interface that also allows them to establish customized therapy plans for each user. The platform has been tested and validated, first using adult people and then deployed to an elder care facility where the robot has been interacting with users for a long period of time. The results and feedback received have shown that the robot can help to keep the users physically and mentally active as well as establish an emotional link between the user and the robot.
Highlights
As people age, some physical and cognitive disabilities or social isolation situations might appear that affect their ability to perform activities in a self-sufficient manner
Social robotics could be an important factor through the use of robots that are able to interact with those people, contributing to the avoidance of social isolation, physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles
It is observed that the participants, in general, had a positive attitude towards the robot, found its use simple and found it useful and entertaining
Summary
Some physical and cognitive disabilities or social isolation situations might appear that affect their ability to perform activities in a self-sufficient manner. The use of social robots to assist these people can help them to maintain or improve their capacities through social interaction and the realization of different activities to work on their mental and physical abilities, contributing to the improvement of their quality of life. Due to the rising number of old people (it is estimated that by 2050, the population over than 80 years of age will have increased very significantly) [1], the current number of people specialized in elder care will become insufficient. This requires the emergence of new technologies that can help in the care field, facilitating the independent life of the elderly. Social robotics could be an important factor through the use of robots that are able to interact with those people, contributing to the avoidance of social isolation, physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles
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