SNS Agency Robot for Elderly People Using External Cloud-Based Services

Abstract

We propose a SNS Agency Robot that can be used for the interactive communication between elderly people and younger generation via existing Social Networking Service (SNS). This robot system has been implemented on a cloud service and a single board computer embedded in a human-type robot, which is equipped with a microphone, camera, speaker, sensors, and network access function, so that elderly people can transmit and receive information by voice via SNS without using smartphones. We employed LINE that is a proprietary application for instant communications on electronic devices such as smartphones. In LINE, we need to select a message destination address before sending messages. On the other hand, our proposed robot is basically operated by voice due to realizing the simple user interface. Therefore, we proposed a message exchange learning-type destination estimation method that enables elderly people not to express a message destination address explicitly. We developed the prototype system including the message exchange learning-type destination estimation method. Then, we confirmed the effectiveness of the message destination estimation through the demonstration experiment at the house for the elderly with the care service.