DISRUPT
Designing Innovative Social Robots through
end-User parTicipation
end-User parTicipation
In this project, we set out to co-create a blueprint for the development of social robots for older adults.
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Why is this research important?
Social robots have huge potential to support older adults. They are interactive, can be used to help with activities of daily living, and may reduce stress and loneliness. However, despite their benefits, few older adults use them. This project explores barriers and facilitators for social robot use and collaborates with experts and persons with lived experience to co-design a new method for developing social robots. DISRUPT showcases the benefit of working with older adults as partners in research. What did we do? |
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We established an older adult advisory group, ‘The League’. League members provide valuable insights and expertise that ensure our research remains meaningful and reflective of older adults’ needs, values, and preferences.
We conducted surveys, co-creation workshops, and focus groups to explore key issues around the use of social robotic technologies from the perspectives of older adults, people living with dementia, and their care partners.
The project was led by Dr. Jill Dosso, former Postdoctoral Fellow in the NEST Lab.
We conducted surveys, co-creation workshops, and focus groups to explore key issues around the use of social robotic technologies from the perspectives of older adults, people living with dementia, and their care partners.
The project was led by Dr. Jill Dosso, former Postdoctoral Fellow in the NEST Lab.
What did we find?
Our research reveals that older adults:
Our research reveals that older adults:
- Desire to use social robots for interaction, connecting with others, and companionship.
- Want social robots to be expressive and produce emotionally appropriate responses.
- Feel that they may be stigmatised for using a social robot in public.
- Evaluate assistive technologies by their ability to promote independence, affordability, ease of use, and ethical considerations.
Publications & Media
Dosso JA, Martin SE, Ye H, Guerra GK, Riminchan A, Robillard JM. Designing user-centered policy for social robotics: policy analysis and consultation with the aging and dementia community. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 2025 Mar 4:1-3. Google Scholar
Kabacińska K, Vu K, Tam M, Edwards O, Miller WC, Robillard JM. “Functioning better is doing better”: older adults’ priorities for the evaluation of assistive technology. Assistive Technology. 2023 Jul 4;35(4):367-73. Google Scholar
Dosso JA, Kailley JN, Guerra GK, Robillard JM. Older adult perspectives on emotion and stigma in social robots. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2023 Jan 12;13:1051750. Google Scholar
Dosso JA, Bandari E, Malhotra A, Guerra GK, Hoey J, Michaud F, Prescott TJ, Robillard JM. User perspectives on emotionally aligned social robots for older adults and persons living with dementia. Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering. 2022 Jun 17;9:20556683221108364. Google Scholar
JN Kailley. Stigma around technology use by older adults. 2022 Blogpost. Neuroethics Canada
Kabacińska K, Vu K, Tam M, Edwards O, Miller WC, Robillard JM. “Functioning better is doing better”: older adults’ priorities for the evaluation of assistive technology. Assistive Technology. 2023 Jul 4;35(4):367-73. Google Scholar
Dosso JA, Kailley JN, Guerra GK, Robillard JM. Older adult perspectives on emotion and stigma in social robots. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2023 Jan 12;13:1051750. Google Scholar
Dosso JA, Bandari E, Malhotra A, Guerra GK, Hoey J, Michaud F, Prescott TJ, Robillard JM. User perspectives on emotionally aligned social robots for older adults and persons living with dementia. Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering. 2022 Jun 17;9:20556683221108364. Google Scholar
JN Kailley. Stigma around technology use by older adults. 2022 Blogpost. Neuroethics Canada
External Contributors
Dr. Tony Prescott, Partner - Consequential Robotics; MiRo robot
Dr. Jesse Hoey, Co-Investigator - University of Waterloo
Dr. François Michaud, Co-Investigator - University of Sherbrooke; T-top robot
Dr. Chris Nugent, Partner - Smart Environments Research Group, University of Ulster
The League, Lived Experience Expert Group - NEST Lab
Dr. Jesse Hoey, Co-Investigator - University of Waterloo
Dr. François Michaud, Co-Investigator - University of Sherbrooke; T-top robot
Dr. Chris Nugent, Partner - Smart Environments Research Group, University of Ulster
The League, Lived Experience Expert Group - NEST Lab
Funders
We are proud to have received funding for this project from the following organizations
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Jock & Irene Graham Brain Research Endowment |
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