Understanding social interactions with socially assistive robotics in intergenerational family groups

Abstract

We present a pilot study of a socially assistive robot interacting with intergenerational groups. The system is designed to improve the social well-being of older adults by supporting interactions within families. Six intergenerational family groups interacted with the robot in four tablet-based games. Users' behavior during the sessions was used to compare the games and understand how members of different generations and different families interact with the robot. Interviews with users provide insight into users' priorities for in-home deployment of socially assistive robots, as well as preferences about the activities, appearance, and behavior of the robot.