Abstract:
Abstract — In this paper, we summarize some results from our long-term study of healthcare robot systems for older people. This research incorporated five different types of robots and altogether 25 individual robots were deployed in two retirement facilities, in different levels of care. We report the results from a non-randomized trial of touch screen robots using the Healthbots system in lounge areas of rest homes and hospitals, an interview study with the Paro robot in the dementia unit, and a randomized trial of Paro in a hospital and rest home. Paro is a commercial baby seal companion robot. Our Healthbots system is software that runs on touch screen robots which are cognitive assist ants for people, with multiple functions for healthcare and entertainment, and communicates with a central server for information storage. Different behaviors can be defined for Healthbots, in a separate software layer from the main execution layer. The central server provides a web service for clinicians and family members to customize the robot behavior and to review patient healthcare data. Results showed some people made positive comments about robots. There was a reduction in sleeping in the lounge and a modest stimulating effect on interactions. We derived suggestions for improvements to the robots for dementia care. Paro reduced loneliness and had a positive effect on cardiovascular measures.