Pet Robot Research Articles

Implementation effectiveness of psychosocial and environmental care practices in assisted living

Psychosocial and environmental care practices are recommended to address behavioral expressions in persons with dementia, but their use has been limited partly because guidance is lacking regarding implementation. In response, we developed a simple “how-to” guide of evidence-based protocols for aromatherapy, natural light, familiar music, and robotic pets; trained staff in four assisted living (AL) communities to use the practices; provided materials; met with them regularly; and evaluated fidelity, facilitators and barriers to implementation, and staff knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy. After two months, staff reported more familiarity, confidence, and use; barriers such as difficulty locating supplies and task-focused staff with limited time; and staff “champion” facilitators. Notable differences were identified across communities, suggesting that just as care to individuals must be person-centered, practices embraced by communities must fit that community. Through strategic adoption, successful implementation is possible. The “how-to” guide is appropriate for AL, nursing homes, and persons’ own homes.

Formal caregivers’ perceptions and experiences of using pet robots for persons living with dementia in long‐term care: A meta‐ethnography

To explore the formal caregivers' perceptions and experiences of using pet robots for persons living with dementia residing in long-term care settings and the factors influencing their perceptions by evaluating, integrating, and synthesizing findings from relevant international research articles using a meta-ethnography. Noblit and Hare's interpretative meta-ethnography. Eight articles, published between 2013-2018, were identified following a systematic search of four databases (Scopus, ProQuest Central, EBSCO, and Google Scholar) between June 2019-February 2020. Two researchers independently appraised the selected articles. Noblit and Hare's seven steps and a meta-ethnography reporting guidance were used. Reciprocal translation was used to obtain a line of argument synthesis. Three overarching themes were identified: a beneficial tool but not for everybody, a tool that has limitations but could be overcome, and a positive experience if appropriately introduced and sustained. This meta-ethnography contributes to the understanding of current potential benefits and limitations of pet robots for persons living with dementia residing in long-term settings. It also identifies several factors, as perceived by caregivers, that may influence their acceptability, adoption, and routine use in practice. Although for the past two decades pet robots have been used as a psychosocial intervention for persons living with dementia in long-term care settings, there is a dearth of literature on the perception of formal caregivers and their experience of such interventions. While pet robots can have emotional, social, behavioural, and practical benefits, there are several technological, organizational, and contextual challenges and limitations that constrain their routine use. The solutions synthesized in this review can be of benefit to robot designers, facility managers, policy makers, and other health care professionals interested in introducing pet robots in long-term care settings.

Robotic Pet Use Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

ObjectiveThe primary purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of robotic pets in alleviating loneliness for older adults.MethodSelf-reported lonely individuals with AARP Medicare Supplement plans insured by UnitedHealthcare who participated in a program with a robotic pet (n = 20) were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked to provide feedback about their experiences interacting with a robotic pet, their perceptions about the potential impact on loneliness, and recommendations for improving the program. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Participants’ responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Constant comparison and consensus-gaining processes were used to develop categories that later formed representative themes.ResultsSeven themes emerged from analysis: Openness to Adoption of Robotic Pet, Reactions to Pet and its Attributes, Integration of Pet in Daily Life, Strategic Utilization and Forging New Connections, Deriving Comfort and Camaraderie, Advice for Future Users, and Recommendations for Enhancing Ownership Experience. Participants living alone, with fewer social connections and less active lifestyles, derived the most benefit from interacting with their pets. Common responses to pets included cuddling, petting, grooming, and sleeping with them. Some shared or loaned their pets, while others refused to loan their pets to interested peers. Most reported showing their pets to others, which helped some facilitate communication and social connections.ConclusionRobotic pets may be an effective solution for alleviating loneliness in older adults, especially among those who live alone, have fewer social connections, and live less active lifestyles.

Robot companion cats for people at home with dementia: A qualitative case study on companotics.

The use of robot companion pets for people in care homes has been extensively studied. The results are largely positive and suggest that they are valuable in enhancing wellbeing, communication and behavioural aspects. However, there has been little research in people's own homes, possibly due to the cost and complexity of some of the robot pets currently available. As dementia affects people in different ways, this study explores the effects of a robot cat for people in their own homes, without specifically investigating the effects on a particular symptom. We utilised a case study design to investigate the proposition that various factors influence the impact of a robot cat on the person living with dementia and their carer, including acceptability of the robot pet and acceptance of dementia and its symptoms. The qualitative analysis explores the similarities and differences within the data which were gathered during interviews with people with dementia and their families. This analysis revealed four themes: Distraction, Communication, Acceptance and rejection, and Connecting with the cat and connecting with others. These themes were synthesised into two overarching themes: the effect of the cat on mood and behaviour, and The interaction with the cat. We present the acceptability and impact of the robot cat on symptoms of dementia, with data presented across and within the group of participants. Our analysis suggests that benefits of the robot pet were evident, and although this was a small-scale study, where they were accepted, robot pets provided positive outcomes for the participants and their families.

Generalization of movements in quadruped robot locomotion by learning specialized motion data

Machines that are sensitive to environmental fluctuations, such as autonomous and pet robots, are currently in demand, rendering the ability to control huge and complex systems crucial. However, controlling such a system in its entirety using only one control device is difficult; for this purpose, a system must be both diverse and flexible. Herein, we derive and analyze the feature values of robot sensor and actuator data, thereby investigating the role that each feature value plays in robot locomotion. We conduct experiments using a developed quadruped robot from which we acquire multi-point motion information as the movement data; we extract the features of these movement data using an autoencoder. Next, we decompose the movement data into three features and extract various gait patterns. Despite learning only the “walking” movement, the movement patterns of trotting and bounding are also extracted herein, which suggests that movement data obtained via hardware contain various gait patterns. Although the present robot cannot locomote with these movements, this research suggests the possibility of generating unlearned movements.

Design of Home Service Robot for Pet Caring

Pet dogs are good friends in people’s home living. Some people sometimes are inconvenient to take care of pet dogs. A smart robot for caring pets is designed in this paper. The robot can actively interact with the pet dog in the way of serve and relieve the separation anxiety of the pet. During the serve process, the multi-stage gears and rack meshing transmissions are used to achieve near, medium and long-range launch modes with stable convenience performance. The structure of this companion pet robot is displayed. It is mainly composed of feeding system, serve system, grasp system, driving system and real-time monitoring system. It is demonstrated here with the feasibility of the machine function and the rationality of the structure design is analysed. The robot will support a good convenience help to pet caring in home living.

Study on the Subjectivity of Medical Professionals Towards Pet Robots

Background/Objectives: The objective of this study is to understand the subjectivity of medical professionals in their perception of pet robots, describe the characteristics of each subjectivity type and understand the categorization of pet robots.Methods/Statistical analysis: The Q methodology was applied. Twenty medical professionals (doctors or nurses) currently employed in a clinical setting were asked to categorize 56 statements on pet robots. The collected data were analyzed using QUANL PC Program.Findings: In this study, there were six people with a factor weight of 1.0 or higher in Type 1, six such people in Type 2 and eight people in Type 3. An analysis of subjectivity towards robot pets using the PC QUANL program revealed three factors, with an explanatory power of 77.61%. The explanatory power was 65.65% for factor 1, 6.42% for factor 2, and 5.53% for factor 3. As such, factor 1 can be seen as explaining robot pets the most. The study results show that the perception towards pet robots were categorized along three factors. The subjectivity types were ‘those who support the emotional advantages’, ‘those who emphasize the ease of pet management’ and ‘those who emphasize the convenience from technological development’.Improvements/Applications: This study provided data for the use of pet robots in clinical settings and education of medical professionals.

Robots, AI, and Cognitive Training in an Era of Mass Age-Related Cognitive Decline: A Systematic Review

Developing countries world-wide are witnessing historical growth in their elderly populations, and with it, importantly, a steady rise in the number of people experiencing age-related cognitive decline. This reality has the potential to produce an unprecedented strain on affected families, healthcare systems and taxpayers in the very near future. This study: a) examines the present limits and predicted capacity of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as they relate to the various and complex needs of those hoping to optimize the positive benefits of cognitive training, and b) systematically reviews the efficacy of Human Robot Interaction (HRI) as an intervention strategy for elderly individuals confronting cognitive challenges along the spectrum from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to Advanced Cognitive Impairment (ACI). The results of this systematic review suggest that, overall, the utilization of humanoid and pet robots, such as NAO and PARO, respectively, produce improvements in cognition and markers of social and emotional health and engagement; however, when embedded with AI with the capacity for Deep Learning the potential of robotic technology to aggressively meet the needs of individuals experiencing age-related cognitive decline will be significant.

Optimization Model to Express Emotions of Pet Robots

Optimization Model to Express Emotions of Pet Robots

Does Simulated Rearing of Pet Robots Develop Children's Biological Understanding?

Does Simulated Rearing of Pet Robots Develop Children's Biological Understanding?

Exploring the perceptions of people with dementia about the social robot PARO in a hospital setting.

New technology, such as social robots, opens up new opportunities in hospital settings. PARO, a robotic pet seal, was designed to provide emotional and social support for older people with dementia. We applied video-ethnographic methods, including conversational interviews and observations with video recording among 10 patient participants while they were using the robot. We also conducted semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups with nursing staff to gain contextual information. Patient and family partners were actively involved in the study as co-researchers. This study reports our findings on the perceptions of 10 patients with dementia about their experiences with PARO in a hospital setting. Thematic analysis yielded three substantive themes: (a) ‘it’s like a buddy’ – the robot helps people with dementia uphold a sense of self in the world, (b) ‘it’s a conversation piece’ – the baby seal facilitates social connection and (c) ‘it makes me happy’ – PARO transforms and humanizes the clinical setting. Our findings help provide a better understanding of the perspectives of patients with dementia on the use of social robots.

EXPLORING THE PERCEPTION OF PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA ABOUT A SOCIAL ROBOT PARO IN A HOSPITAL SETTING

PARO, a robotic pet, was designed to provide emotional and social support for older people with dementia. This project aims to explore the perception of persons with dementia about the role of PARO in a hospital setting. Video-ethnographic methods were applied. Patient and family partners were involved in the fieldwork of data collection and analysis. We conducted conversational interviews with ten patients with dementia staying in a geriatric unit and video observations. Thematic analysis yielded three substantive themes: (a) “it’s like a buddy”, the robot helps persons with dementia to uphold a sense of self in the world, (b) “it’s a conversation piece”, the baby seal facilitates social connection, and (c) “it’s all about love”, PARO transforms and humanizes the clinical setting. Our findings contribute to providing a better understanding of the direct perspectives of patients with dementia on the use of the social robot.

IT’S MY BUDDY: EXPLORING THE PERCEPTIONS OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA ABOUT THE SOCIAL ROBOT PARO IN A HOSPITAL SETTING

New technology such as social robots opens up new opportunities in hospital settings. PARO, a robotic pet seal, was designed to provide emotional and social support for older people with dementia. This project aims to explore the perceptions of persons with dementia about PARO’s role in a hospital setting. Video-ethnographic methods were applied. We had conversational interviews with and video observations of 10 older people with dementia in the geriatric unit of a large Canadian hospital. Also, semi-structured interviews and two focus groups were conducted with 10 staff members in the local unit to gain contextual information. Thematic analysis yielded three substantive themes: (a) “it’s like a buddy”—the robot helps people with dementia uphold a sense of self in the world; (b) “it’s a conversation piece”—the baby seal facilitates social connection; and (c) “it’s all about love”—PARO transforms and humanizes the clinical setting. Our findings help provide a better understanding of the direct perspectives of patients with dementia on the use of social robots. Instead of substituting human contact, the social robot complements emotional care and supports our fundamental human need for love.

Prosthetic Soul Mates: Sex Robots as Media for Companionship

Prosthetic Soul Mates: Sex Robots as Media for Companionship

Robotic Pets: A Senior's Best Friend?

We are in the midst of a demographic phenomenon known as the graying of society. In more affluent countries, the population is aging. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to more than double by 2060. By 2030, 20% of the U.S. population will be over 65 years old. Some other countries, including Italy, Germany, and Japan, are already at this mark.

News - Briefing. Healthcare: Robotic pets spark joy in care homes

News - Briefing. Healthcare: Robotic pets spark joy in care homes

Study on a biped walking pet robot that encourages voluntary actions

Study on a biped walking pet robot that encourages voluntary actions

Pets as Nonhuman Animals, Companion Species and Robots

The aim of this paper is to examine the connection between humans and pets, the companion species, whether the pets in question are organic or robotic. Pets are ineluctable members of Western societies, and the relationship between human and nonhuman animals was achieved a long time ago. It is certain that world population growth will create new needs in societies. Coexistence and concern about pets will acquire expenses only wealthier inhabitants of the planet will be able to bear, leaving the poorer layers with two options: either forgo the long-established need for a life shared with a dog or a cat, or reorient to a life shared with non-organic companion species – robotic pets. This is why it is believed that, with the streaming of capital in the not-that-far-away future, the development of artificial intelligence is about to be directed to the mass production of robotic pets.

A Four-legged Robot’s Soft Feet Structural Design and Walking Gait Generated from Inverse Kinematics

The conventional wheel is famous in the industrial mobile robot because it is simple to build and easy to control and to maneuver. On the other hand, the legged robot is complicated to control but has a high performance in locomotion like highly evolved legged-creatures. This research describes the four-legged robot design platform with the soft feet, which are made by silicone-material forming. The robot’s feet are implanted by the strain gauge sensor. The robot can percept the external force sensitively when its feet touch something. The research demonstrates the forward kinematics and inverse kinematics of a four-legged robot with three joints for each. The result has validated the kinematic equations by implementing them on the real dog-like pet robot. The robot walked with a pure walking gait and showed a sensing signal from the soft foot and ground contact.

The use of robotic animals in dementia care: challenges and ethical dilemmas

This article looks at robotic pets and how they can be used in dementia care. The research discussed suggests that robot therapy could be beneficial to some people. The ethical dilemmas and challenges that need to be considered if planning the use of robotic pets is also discussed. Robot therapy can be used to enhance person-centred care rather than to replace human contact. Robotic pets can be used by nurses in their interactions with people who have dementia and nurses can play an important role in promoting this type of therapy. The article ends with recommendations and reflections about the inevitability of increased use of such therapy in the future.