Presentation
Enhancing Elderly-Robot Interactions (ERI): A Review of 10 Years of the HRI Conference
SessionLBR1: Late-Breaking Results
DescriptionThe United States is experiencing a significant demographic shift, with one out of every six Americans now aged 65 and older. As the needs of this aging population evolve, robots have emerged as a potential solution in domestic settings, particularly designed to support older adults and individuals with disabilities. Consequently, understanding Elderly-Robot Interactions (ERI) is crucial for enhancing the quality of life for the elderly through companionship, assistance, and support.
To understand the current landscape of ERI and identify future directions, we conducted a systematic review of empirical research on ERI published at the IEEE/ACM International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) over the past 10 years (2014–2023). Papers were deemed eligible only if they reported the results of a human-subjects experiment in which elderly participants interacted directly with a robot. Overall, 11 out of 644 papers were included in the review.
Our analysis shows that the elderly generally enjoyed the interactions and experienced positive mood changes. However, specific subgroups, such as those with dementia, exhibited more passive behaviors during interactions. Additionally, we have identified several areas that require further investigation: (1). Most existing research on ERI consists of short-term, lab-based studies. There is a need for research into the long-term effects of interacting with robots; (2) Elderly participants expressed privacy concerns while living with robots, highlighting the need for additional studies in this area; (3) Certain segments of the elderly population, particularly those with limited cognitive capacities, require special attention in future research endeavors.
To understand the current landscape of ERI and identify future directions, we conducted a systematic review of empirical research on ERI published at the IEEE/ACM International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) over the past 10 years (2014–2023). Papers were deemed eligible only if they reported the results of a human-subjects experiment in which elderly participants interacted directly with a robot. Overall, 11 out of 644 papers were included in the review.
Our analysis shows that the elderly generally enjoyed the interactions and experienced positive mood changes. However, specific subgroups, such as those with dementia, exhibited more passive behaviors during interactions. Additionally, we have identified several areas that require further investigation: (1). Most existing research on ERI consists of short-term, lab-based studies. There is a need for research into the long-term effects of interacting with robots; (2) Elderly participants expressed privacy concerns while living with robots, highlighting the need for additional studies in this area; (3) Certain segments of the elderly population, particularly those with limited cognitive capacities, require special attention in future research endeavors.
Event Type
Late Breaking Results
TimeTuesday, September 10th3:50pm - 4pm MST
LocationFLW Salon I