The multi-modal interface of Robot-Era multi-robot services tailored for the elderly

DI NUOVO, Alessandro, BROZ, Frank, WANG, Ning, BELPAEME, Tony, CANGELOSI, Angelo, JONES, Ray, ESPOSITO, Raffaele, CAVALLO, Filippo and DARIO, Paolo (2017). The multi-modal interface of Robot-Era multi-robot services tailored for the elderly. Intelligent Service Robotics, 11 (1), 109-126.

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Official URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11370-0...
Link to published version:: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11370-017-0237-6

Abstract

Socially assistive robotic platforms are now a realistic option for the long-term care of ageing populations. Elderly users may benefit from many services provided by robots operating in different environments, such as providing assistance inside apartments, serving in shared facilities of buildings or guiding people outdoors. In this paper, we present the experience gained within the EU FP7 ROBOT-ERA project towards the objective of implementing easy-to-use and acceptable service robotic system for the elderly. In particular, we detail the user-centred design and the experimental evaluation in realistic environments of a web-based multi-modal user interface tailored for elderly users of near future multi-robot services. Experimental results demonstrate positive evaluation of usability and willingness to use by elderly users, especially those less experienced with technological devices who could benefit more from the adoption of robotic services. Further analyses showed how multi-modal modes of interaction support more flexible and natural elderly–robot interaction, make clear the benefits for the users and, therefore, increase its acceptability. Finally, we provide insights and lessons learned from the extensive experimentation, which, to the best of our knowledge, is one of the largest experimentation of a multi-robot multi-service system so far.

Item Type: Article
Research Institute, Centre or Group - Does NOT include content added after October 2018: Cultural Communication and Computing Research Institute > Communication and Computing Research Centre
Departments - Does NOT include content added after October 2018: Faculty of Science, Technology and Arts > Department of Computing
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11370-017-0237-6
Page Range: 109-126
Depositing User: Alessandro Di Nuovo
Date Deposited: 14 Sep 2017 10:37
Last Modified: 18 Mar 2021 01:22
URI: https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16739

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