Assistive Personal Robots for Older Adults: Bridging the Divide
Between Robotic Technology Development and End-Users in Practical Applications
Name
kim-eunahkim-sm-idm-2023-thesis.pdf
Description
Thesis PDF
Size
101.63 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
a93b1ebe51ee06c6a3ed432fb75b011e
Author(s)
Kim, Eunah
Advisor(s)
Coughlin, Joseph F.
D'Ambrosio, Lisa A.
Lee, Chaiwoo
Date Issued
June 2023
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
The global demographic shift towards an aging population has led to a growing demand for healthcare options supporting older adults' independence and well-being. Robotics has emerged as a promising solution to address this challenge, serving as supportive complements or substitutes for human caregivers. However, designing robots that are suitable for older adults is a complex challenge, and there is a need to improve our understanding of users' expectations in this domain. Moreover, the gap between laboratory research on robot technology and its real-world applications needs to be addressed, as the technology needs to meet the needs and expectations of users in practical settings.
The primary objective of this thesis is to bridge the divide between robotic technology development and end-users in practical applications. The research will explore the design, development, and implementation of personal robots, with an emphasis on understanding their unique characteristics, capabilities, and potential applications. The study aims to define how assistive personal robots for older adults should look, behave, and interact from a user's point of view. Additionally, the study aims to understand how older adults perceive these robots and what level and type of support they are comfortable with.
The results of this study will contribute to identifying key dimensions of the overall user experience and systematic solutions that can serve as guidelines for developers of future robots. This study will not only contribute to academic research in the field but also have practical implications for the design and development of robots that contribute to improving the quality of life of older adults.
MIT Department
System Design and Management Program.
Terms of Use
In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
Copyright retained by author(s)
Persistent DSpace Link
