A Social Robot Learning to Facilitate an Assistive Group-Based Activity from Non-expert Caregivers
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A Social Robot Learning to Facilitate an Assistive Group‑Based Activity from Non‑expert Caregivers Wing‑Yue Geoffrey Louie1,2 · Goldie Nejat2 Accepted: 7 January 2020 © Springer Nature B.V. 2020
Abstract Socially assistive robots are a promising technology for supporting residential care facilities to provide stimulating recreational activities to residents in group settings. In order for caregivers to teach robots customized recreational activities for residents in their facilities, these robots need to be able to learn such activities from non-experts. In this work, we present a novel learning from demonstration system that allows socially assistive robots to learn customized group recreational activities from caregivers and facilitate these activities with users. We validate the usability and effectiveness of the proposed system by conducting a robot teaching study with caregivers and the Tangy robot at a local residential care facility. The caregivers found the learning system easy to use, experienced moderately low perceived workload, and were able to successfully teach Tangy the game of Bingo. Once Tangy learned the game, it autonomously facilitated Bingo games with elderly residents. The residents found the robot behaviors, personalized by the caregivers, both helpful and entertaining. Furthermore, they enjoyed playing Bingo with Tangy and would participate in future games. Keywords Socially assistive robots · Learning from demonstration · Non-expert robot teachers · Group-based activities · Caregivers and older adults
1 Introduction Socially assistive robots (SARs) are being integrated into residential care settings to assist in engaging older adults in group-based recreational activities [1, 2]. Such stimulating activities have the potential to maintain or improve older adult health by reducing the risk of cognitive and physical decline, heart conditions, and depression [3]. However, current robots are limited to the activities pre-programmed on the robots by roboticists. Non-expert robot teachers (i.e. caregivers) cannot customize activities based on user needs. This limits the efficacy of robots as older adults have a diverse set of recreational needs due to differences in physical and cognitive health, functional capabilities, and activity * Wing‑Yue Geoffrey Louie [email protected] 1
Intelligent Robotics Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA
Autonomous Systems and Biomechatronics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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preferences [4]. Caregivers frequently adapt activities from their traditional counterparts to account for the capabilities of older adults [4]. Such customization of activities can improve activity engagement and the overall moods of older adults [5]. Our research focuses on developing SARs that can autonomously facilitate recreational activities with older adults in residential care settings to provide both cognitive and social stimulatio
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