A field study to explore user experiences with socially assistive robots for older adults: emphasizing the need for more interactivity and personalisation

Article Article scientifique Article A field study to explore user experiences with socially assistive robots for older adults: emphasizing the need for more interactivity and personalisation eng 2025-03-28 2025 author Hofstede Bob M 0000-0001-6967-3711 Vilans Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Human-Technology Interaction Group, Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands. author Askari Sima Ipakchian Vilans Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care, Utrecht, Netherlands. author Lukkien Dirk Vilans Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands. author Gosetto Laëtitia 0000-0002-9432-2160 EvaLab, Division of Medical Information Science (SIMED), University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland. 693024 Département de radiologie et informatique médicale (RADIO) author Alberts Janna W Human-Technology Interaction Group, Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands.,ConnectedCare Services b.v., Arnhem, Netherlands. author Tesfay Ephrem Vilans Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care, Utrecht, Netherlands. author Ter Stal Minke Vilans Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care, Utrecht, Netherlands. author van Hoesel Tom Vilans Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care, Utrecht, Netherlands. author Cuijpers Raymond H Human-Technology Interaction Group, Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands. author Vastenburg Martijn H 0000-0002-4758-0845 ConnectedCare Services b.v., Arnhem, Netherlands. author Bevilacqua Roberta IRCCS INRCA, Scientific Direction, Ancona, Italy. author Amabili Giulio 0000-0002-2005-4319 IRCCS INRCA, Scientific Direction, Ancona, Italy. author Margaritini Arianna IRCCS INRCA, Scientific Direction, Ancona, Italy. author Benadduci Marco IRCCS INRCA, Scientific Direction, Ancona, Italy. author Guebey Julie EvaLab, Division of Medical Information Science (SIMED), University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland. 872495 author Trabelsi Mohamed Amine EvaLab, Division of Medical Information Science (SIMED), University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland. 832230 author Ciuffreda Ilaria Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale e Scienze Matematiche, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy. author Casaccia Sara Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale e Scienze Matematiche, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy. author IJsselsteijn Wijnand 0000-0001-6856-9269 Human-Technology Interaction Group, Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands. author Revel Gian Marco Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale e Scienze Matematiche, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy. author Nap Henk Herman 0000-0003-2545-0510 Vilans Centre of Expertise for Long-Term Care, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Human-Technology Interaction Group, Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands. 1537272 10.3389/frobt.2025.1537272 40270913 2296-9144 PMC12015597 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frobt.2025.1537272/full Older adults often desire to remain in their homes for as long as possible, and Socially Assistive Robots (SARs) can play a role in supporting this goal. However, the acceptance and adoption rates of SARs remain relatively low, suggesting that current designs may not fully address all user needs. Field studies in Human-Robot Interaction, particularly those involving multiple end-users, remain limited. Nevertheless, such studies are crucial for identifying factors that shape the user experience with SARs, potentially improving their acceptance and adoption in healthcare settings. Therefore, this study aims to explore user perspectives, referred to as factors, that could guide design considerations for SAR development. We conducted a field study with 90 participants across Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands to identify these factors and their implications for improving the SAR user experience for older adults and their formal and informal caregivers. SARs were placed in the homes of older adults, and interviews were conducted with the three groups of primary end-users, at the beginning, midpoint, and end of the two-to six-week trial period. We initially focused on four factors (personalisation, interactivity, embodiment, and ethical considerations), identified in earlier design phases of the related 3-year Guardian project. Our findings confirmed the importance of these factors while uncovering additional ones. Personalisation and interactivity emerged as the most important ones among these factors. Based on our insights, we recommend involving all primary end-users in SAR research and design process and prioritising field studies to refine design elements. In conclusion, our study identified six factors for SAR design that can enhance the user experience: personalisation, interactivity, embodiment, ethical considerations, connectedness, and dignity. These findings provide valuable guidance for developing SARs that may better address the needs of older adults and their caregivers. Care network Evaluation studies Gerontechnology Home environment Interactivity Older adults Personalisation Socially assistive robots Dewey 616.0757 Dewey 025.063 62 Département de radiologie et informatique médicale 227 13 Centre universitaire d'informatique 0D3 false 344 Interfaces Homme-machine en milieu clinique 610 Frontiers in robotics and AI 12 8c382fe9-6a80-4cba-ad5e-d7045bd8c018 Article (Published version) Public Article_scientifique_from_unpaywall.pdf 13634100 application/pdf CC BY-4.0 fb881c1bc781b72d467eafa7ecd03f1a734d74205fe30de1a5bf26c90cf8fa0b openAccess Faculté de médecine / Section de médecine clinique / Département de radiologie et informatique médicale Centres et instituts / Centre universitaire d'informatique

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A field study to explore user experiences with socially assistive robots for older adults: emphasizing the need for more interactivity and personalisation	Frontiers in robotics and AI			2025	1	0

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