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dc.contributor.authorBradwell, Hannah
dc.contributor.authorEdwards, K
dc.contributor.authorShenton, D
dc.contributor.authorWinnington, R
dc.contributor.authorThill, S
dc.contributor.authorJones, Ray
dc.date.accessioned2021-12-02T10:52:29Z
dc.date.issued2021-11-01
dc.identifier.issn2369-2529
dc.identifier.issn2369-2529
dc.identifier.othere30337
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/18433
dc.description.abstract

<jats:sec> <jats:title>Background</jats:title> <jats:p>Globally, pressure is increasing on health and social care resources due to the aging population and growing prevalence of dementia. Companion robots, such as Paro, demonstrate strong potential for helping reduce this pressure through reported benefits including reduced agitation, depression, loneliness, care provider burden, and medication use. However, we previously identified that user-centered design of robot pets is both essential and understudied. We observed that commonly used robot pets are poorly matched to end-user requirements, and that end users and developers of robot pets differ significantly in their perception of appropriate design. This may explain some of the contradictory outcome research and variance in results for robot pets, such as Paro.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Objective</jats:title> <jats:p>In response to the literature gap, we aimed to provide user-centered insights into the design of robot pets from key stakeholders to inform future robot development and the choice of robots for real-world implementation and research. We focused on understanding user requirements.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p>We conducted a qualitative study with 65 participants from 5 care homes (26 care home residents, 29 staff members. and 10 family members). Care home residents formed groups of between 3 and 4 individuals and experienced free interactions with a range of 8 companion robots and toys, including Paro and more affordable alternatives. The robots provided had a range of esthetics, shell types, interactivity levels, and designs for comparison. Care staff and family members observed the interactions. All participants then engaged in focus groups within their stakeholder category to discuss preferences and user requirements in companion robot design. Both free interactions and focus groups were video and audio recorded, transcribed, and subjected to thematic analysis.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Results</jats:title> <jats:p>Care home residents, family members, and staff were open and accepting of the use of companion robot pets, with the majority suggesting that they would keep a device for themselves or the residents. The most preferred device was the Joy for All cat, followed by the Joy for All dog. In discussions, the preferred design features included familiar animal embodiment (domestic pet), soft fur, interactivity, big appealing eyes, simulated breathing, and movements. Unfamiliar devices were more often seen as toy-like and suitable for children, producing some negative responses.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title> <jats:p>This work provides important and user-centered insights into future robot designs for care home residents by means of a comprehensive comparison with key stakeholders. This work strongly supports the use of familiar embodiment in future robot pet designs, with domestic cat and dog morphologies appearing most acceptable. The results have implications for future robot designs and the selection of robot pets for both research and real-world implementations.</jats:p> </jats:sec>

dc.format.extente30337-e30337
dc.format.mediumElectronic
dc.languageen
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherJMIR Publications
dc.subjectJoy for All
dc.subjectParo
dc.subjectacceptability
dc.subjectcare homes
dc.subjectcompanion robots
dc.subjectdementia
dc.subjectengagement
dc.subjectgerontology
dc.subjectolder adults
dc.subjectsocial care
dc.subjectsocial robots
dc.subjectuser-centered design
dc.titleUser-Centered Design of Companion Robot Pets Involving Care Home Resident-Robot Interactions and Focus Groups With Residents, Staff, and Family: Qualitative Study
dc.typejournal-article
dc.typeJournal Article
plymouth.author-urlhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34723825
plymouth.issue4
plymouth.volume8
plymouth.publication-statusPublished online
plymouth.journalJMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies
dc.identifier.doi10.2196/30337
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth/Faculty of Health
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth/Faculty of Health/School of Nursing and Midwifery
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth/REF 2021 Researchers by UoA
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth/REF 2021 Researchers by UoA/UoA03 Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth/Research Groups
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth/Research Groups/Institute of Health and Community
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth/Users by role
plymouth.organisational-group/Plymouth/Users by role/Academics
dc.publisher.placeCanada
dcterms.dateAccepted2021-09-27
dc.rights.embargodate2021-12-3
dc.identifier.eissn2369-2529
dc.rights.embargoperiodNot known
rioxxterms.versionofrecord10.2196/30337
rioxxterms.licenseref.urihttp://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved
rioxxterms.licenseref.startdate2021-11-01
rioxxterms.typeJournal Article/Review


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