scholarly journals The Role of Socially Assistive Robots in the Care of Older People: To Assist in Cognitive Training, to Remind or to Accompany?

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 10394
Author(s):  
Sylwia Łukasik ◽  
Sławomir Tobis ◽  
Julia Suwalska ◽  
Dorota Łojko ◽  
Maria Napierała ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Traditional Role ◽  
Social Interventions ◽  
Assistive Robots ◽  
Socially Assistive Robots ◽  
Socially Assistive Robot

The rapid development of new technologies has caused interest in the use of socially assistive robots in the care of older people. These devices can be used not only to monitor states of health and assist in everyday activities but also to counteract the deterioration of cognitive functioning. The aim of the study was to investigate the attitudes and preferences of Polish respondents towards interventions aimed at the preservation/improvement of cognitive functions delivered by a socially assistive robot. A total of 166 individuals entered the study. Respondents completed the User’s Needs, Requirements and Attitudes Questionnaire; items connected to cognitive and physical activity and social interventions were analyzed. Perceptions and attitudes were compared by gender and age groups (older adults ≥ 60 years old and younger adults 20–59). Women showed a more positive attitude towards robots than men and had a significantly higher perception of the role of the robots in reminding about medications (p = 0.033) as well as meal times and drinks (p = 0.018). There were no significant differences between age groups. Respondents highly valued both the traditional role of the robot—a reminding function—as well as the cognitive interventions and guided physical exercises provided by it. Our findings point to the acceptance of the use of socially assistive robots in the prevention of cognitive deterioration in older people.

scholarly journals Could Robots Help Older People with Age-Related Nutritional Problems? Opinions of Potential Users

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylwia Łukasik ◽  
Sławomir Tobis ◽  
Katarzyna Wieczorowska-Tobis ◽  
Aleksandra Suwalska
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Assistive Robots ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Assistive Robot ◽  
Support Methods ◽  
Financial Issues ◽  
Food Consumed

Background: The rapid development of new technologies has recently raised interest in the use of assistive robots in the care of older people. The success or failure of robots’ implementation is mediated by their acceptance by users. The aim of the study was to answer the question of how both older people and caregivers perceive the possibility of using an assistive robot for nutritional support. Methods: Opinions of 252 respondents (126 older—aged 65 and above; 126 younger ones—aged below 65) from five European countries were collected using the Users’ Needs, Requirements, and Abilities Questionnaire. Results: The majority of participants positively assessed the possibility of using a robot to improve the diet of older people by giving advice on healthy eating or monitoring the amount of food consumed by the owner. An age-related difference was observed, as older people less frequently accepted the reminding of meal times or drinking liquids than younger participants. Four key categories related to the robot’s role in the diet of older people were identified: matching the needs, robot’s characteristics, ethical issues and technical/financial issues. Conclusions: Our preliminary research has shown a positive approach to robots in the context of their nutrition-related aspects. An indication has been made of the need to include older people and other stakeholders in the process of designing these functionalities and modeling human–robot interactions based on communication theories.

scholarly journals The Effect of the Use of Technology on the nature of Teacher’s Profession

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arab World English Journal ◽  
Sally Kondos
Keyword(s):  
Computer Technology ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Teaching Profession ◽  
Computer Usage ◽  
Traditional Role ◽  
Creative Mind ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Computer Knowledge

Educational programmes have recognized the growing need to use computers in the classes as it presents unprecedented challenges that help the students to acquire an inquiring, critical and creative mind to capitalize on the opportunities driven by the growth of information, knowledge and technology. The computer knowledge has begun influencing student’s learning experience for more than 25 years ago, but it was in a moderate manner (Cuban, 2001). However, the past decade has witnessed major trend toward integrating computer technology in all the language classes. The integration has increased because the computer technology represents an accessible and instant information, enormous potential for interactivity and media–rich communication, as well as educational tools which engage the students in the classroom (Mouza, 2002). Undoubtedly the recent advancement in information technology and computer usage in the classroom is rapidly transforming the environment of the classroom. The teachers cannot ignore the reality the today’s classroom must provide technology-supported learning (Angers & Machtmes, 2005). Being prepared to integrate the technology in the classroom has become a paramount skill in every teacher’s professional repertoires. The traditional role of the teacher as the center of the schooling is changing recently with all the introduction of the new technologies in the classroom. One of the effects of the new technologies is the decentralization of teachers in the learning environment (Damrian, 1998). This introduces a very valid point of how the teaching profession will change in the era of digital technologies. What is the role of the teacher in a classroom where he/she is no longer the only source of knowledge? How can he/ she teach effectively in a class, where every student has his/her computer and can Google any piece of information? The following study will investigate the effect of the implementation of the technology in the English as a foreign language (EFL) classes on the nature of the teachers’ profession.

Engagement and experience of older people with socially assistive robots in home care

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Rajiv Khosla ◽  
Mei-Tai Chu ◽  
Seyed Mohammad Sadegh Khaksar ◽  
Khanh Nguyen ◽  
Toyoaki Nishida
Keyword(s):  
Home Care ◽  
Older People ◽  
Assistive Robots ◽  
Socially Assistive Robots

A pilot Project Exploring the Utility and Acceptability of a Socially-assistive Robot in an Assessment Unit for People with Neuropsychiatric Symptoms

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S104-S104
Author(s):  
S. Loi ◽  
R. Khosla ◽  
K. Nguyen ◽  
N. Lautenschlager ◽  
D. Velakoulis
Keyword(s):  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Assistive Robots ◽  
Socially Assistive Robots ◽  
Assistive Robot ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Socially Assistive Robot

ObjectivesSocially-assistive robots have been used with older adults with cognitive impairment in residential care, and found to improve mood and well-being. However, there is little known about the potential benefits in adults with other neuropsychiatric symptoms.AimsThe aim of this project was explore the utility and acceptability of a socially-assistive robot in engaging adults with a variety of neuropsychiatric symptoms.MethodsBetty, a socially-assistive robot was installed in a unit which specialises in the assessment and diagnosis of adults presenting with neuropsychiatric symptoms. She is 39 cm tall, has a baby-face appearance and has the ability to engage individuals through personalised services which can be programmed according to individuals’ preferences. These include singing songs and playing games. Training for the nursing staff who were responsible for incorporating Betty into the unit activities was provided. The frequency, duration and type of activity which Betty was involved in was recorded. Patients admitted who could provide informed consent were able to be included in the project. These participants completed pre- and post-questionnaires.ResultsEight patients (mean age 54.4 years, SD 13.6) who had diagnoses ranging from depression and schizophrenia participated. Types of activities included singing songs, playing Bingo and reading the news. Participants reported that they were comfortable with Betty and did not feel concerned in her presence. They enjoyed interacting with her.ConclusionsThis pilot project demonstrated that participants found Betty to be acceptable and she was useful in engaging them in activities. Future directions would involve larger sample sizes and different settings.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

DESIGNING INTELLIGENT SOCIALLY ASSISTIVE ROBOTS AS EFFECTIVE TOOLS IN COGNITIVE INTERVENTIONS

2011 ◽  
Vol 08 (01) ◽  
pp. 103-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
JEANIE CHAN ◽  
GOLDIE NEJAT ◽  
JINGCONG CHEN
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
Human Robot Interaction ◽  
Control Architecture ◽  
Cognitive Interventions ◽  
Training Interventions ◽  
Assistive Robots ◽  
Socially Assistive Robots ◽  
Assistive Robot ◽  
Term Basis ◽  
Socially Assistive Robot

Recently, there has been a growing body of research that supports the effectiveness of using non-pharmacological cognitive and social training interventions to reduce the decline of or improve brain functioning in individuals suffering from cognitive impairments. However, implementing and sustaining such interventions on a long-term basis is difficult as they require considerable resources and people, and can be very time-consuming for healthcare staff. Our research focuses on making these interventions more accessible to healthcare professionals through the aid of robotic assistants. The objective of our work is to develop an intelligent socially assistive robot with abilities to recognize and identify human affective intent to determine its own appropriate emotion-based behavior while engaging in assistive interactions with people. In this paper, we present the design of a novel human-robot interaction (HRI) control architecture that allows the robot to provide social and cognitive stimulation in person-centered cognitive interventions. Namely, the novel control architecture is designed to allow a robot to act as a social motivator by encouraging, congratulating and assisting a person during the course of a cognitively stimulating activity. Preliminary experiments validate the effectiveness of the control architecture in providing assistive interactions during a HRI-based person-directed activity.

scholarly journals The changing role of the citizen in conflict reporting

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babak Bahador ◽  
Serene Tng
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
New York Times ◽  
Citizen Journalism ◽  
Traditional Role ◽  
News Reporting ◽  
The Times ◽  
Changing Role

New technologies have facilitated the rise of citizen journalism, which promises to dramatically change the role of citizens in conflict reporting from consumers to producers and victims and witnesses to framers and analysts. If this potential is realised, the implications of this new form of journalism are significant, as they stand to challenge the government’s traditional role as the dominant source and interpreter of conflicts. This study examines the degree to which the citizen’s role has changed in conflict reporting through a comparative analysis of the 2008 Mumbai attacks in the New York Times, New Zealand Herald, London Times and the Times of India. The study finds that the rise of event-driven conflict news reporting offers a limited window of opportunity for non-governmental sources, particularly at the beginning of the conflict, to influence media coverage.

scholarly journals Modelling consumer’s intention to use iot devices: role of technophilia

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 612
Author(s):  
Nusrat Jahan ◽  
Md. Abu Hosen Shawon ◽  
Farzana Sadia ◽  
Dilara Khanom Nitu ◽  
Md. Enam Kobir Ribon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Sample Survey ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Iot Devices

<p><span>The present study has been conducted to examine whether skills and general technology-related value (GTV) required to operate the internet of things (IoT). This study also investigates is there any effect of technophilia to adopt IoT. The research method we use in this quantitative study was the sample survey. For investigating results, 352 surveys were conducted where 26 surveys were led through online and 292 surveys were distributed to different age groups. The proposed model was examined using partial least square structural equation model where the results revealed that IoT skills and General knowledge on technology directly contribute to technophilia which covers behavioural, emotional, and cognitive aspects. That is if people have a fascination for new technologies then they are willing to use IoT.</span></p>

scholarly journals Beyond WhatsApp: Older people and smartphones

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Rosales ◽  
Mireia Fernández-Ardèvol
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Older People ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Home Office ◽  
Combination Of Methods ◽  
The Life Course

<p>This paper analyzes how older people, living in Spain, use smartphones and smartphone applications. Using a mixed methods approach, we compare quantitative results obtained by tracking mobile app usage amongst different generational samples with qualitative, focus-group discussions with active smartphone users. A sample of Spanish smartphone users were tracked during one month in the winter of 2014 (238 individuals, aged 20 to 76 years-old). This was followed by three focus group sessions conducted in the spring of 2015, with 24 individuals aged 55 to 81. As we learned, WhatsApp is currently the most popular application used by people of all ages, including older adults. Smartphones increasingly are playing a central role in the life of older participants, although the frequency of app access is negatively correlated with age. On the other hand, as our data indicates, older adults also use a number of different types of apps that are distinct from that of younger users. Older participants access personal information manager apps (calendar, address book and notes) more often than other age groups. And comparatively, older participants use the smartphone less often in stable locations (home, office, relatives’ home) with Wifi than somewhere else and with mobile data. As we argue, differences in age seem to reflect the evolution in personal interests and communication patterns that change as we grow older. Our study captures new trends in smartphone usage amongst this cohort. It also indicates how a combination of methods may help to assess the validity of the log and qualitative data. We highlight the relevance of conducting careful generational studies in smartphone use and some of the potentials and limitations of making predictive studies of ICT use as we change throughout the life course. Finally, we assert the value of the inclusion of older representatives within research, which ultimately may influence public decisions and the design of new technologies.</p>

Security and the Role of New Technologies and Innovation in Medical Ethics

2016 ◽  
pp. 52-77
Author(s):  
Michał Chojnacki ◽  
Anita Wójcik
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
Turn Of The Century ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Patients Rights ◽  
New Challenges

Modern medicine has never before experienced such a rapid development of what is observed at the turn of the century. New opportunities bring new challenges that both - medical staff and patients - will have to face. The paper examines the role and safety issues new medical technologies in the light of respect for patients' rights and ethical dilemmas. For a better delineation of the phenomenon, presented the key moments of the origins and development of medical innovation. Based on observations and the current direction of the health sector were presented significant areas where abuse can occur at the level of ethical issues. Discussions have been subjected to actions considered modern medicine, in the light of security and respect for the patients' rights.

scholarly journals Perceived Accessibility, Satisfaction with Daily Travel, and Life Satisfaction among the Elderly

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (22) ◽  
pp. 4498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lättman ◽  
Olsson ◽  
Friman ◽  
Fujii
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Travel Behavior ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Equation Modeling

People are living longer than they did previously, and the proportion of older people is increasing worldwide. This rapid development will have implications for the transport system, in general, and for travel behavior and accessibility to daily activities, in particular. In recent years, both research and politics have drawn the attention of the public to issues affecting the opportunities of the elderly to participate in everyday life. The debate has so far mostly focused on health issues, with limited work having been done on the ability of the elderly to live the lives they want to considering how they travel. With this view, a theoretical model, grounded in a model of travel and subjective wellbeing was developed to explore the role of perceived accessibility in satisfaction with travel and life satisfaction. Empirical data were collected from a sample of 2950 respondents (aged 60–92) from five cities in Northern Europe (Stockholm, Helsinki, Oslo, Copenhagen, Bergen) and analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings confirmed the link between perceived accessibility, travel satisfaction, and life satisfaction. The findings also showed the role of sociodemographic and travel attributes in perceived accessibility and satisfaction with travel, as well as the moderating effects of different age groups. We conclude that this moderating role played by age clearly indicates that we should not treat the elderly as a homogenous group in research and transport planning.

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