THE RESPONSIBLE DESIGNER: USING A HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN APPROACH TO CREATE AN ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR AD

Abstract

Abstract Our interdisciplinary team of designers, computer scientists, and engineers have begun the development of a low-cost social robot called FRED (the Friendly Robot to Ease Dementia). FRED has a conversational capability which will allow the device to be used as assistive companions for people with AD, engaging conversation, assisting with reminders, playing simple games and music, and relieving caregivers of some of their responsibilities. FRED was created using 3-d printing technology and a single board computer based on raspberry Pi. Interaction between human and the system was implemented using the Mycroft open-source voice assistant. The overall cost of the robot is estimated to be less than $300, rendering it possible for wide distribution among the public. Our presentation will share results from our participatory focus group which helped assist in the design and interactions of FRED. This human-centered design approach included neurologists, healthy older adults, as well as ADRD patients and their caregivers. A common language of important terms (e.g., feedback, interface, training, cognitive assessment) to aid in initial conversations were implemented. A thinking-aloud protocol was adopted once we had a prototype of FRED, where users were able to express freely any problems and/or concerns during interaction. Insights from the thinking-aloud results were used to improve the user interface design to enable the users and robot to interact and collaborate in an effective, natural way. Feedback from the focus group were carefully documented and the results will be shared during our presentation.