Perspective Chapter: Uncovering Older Adult Needs – Applying User-Centered Research Methodologies to Inform Robotics Development and a Call to Action

摘要

Aging society is a worldwide crisis that began in Japan (JP) and was followed by many more countries, including the United States (US). With this increase in the Older Adult (OA) population, it is pertinent to understand what OAs want for themselves and need to independently live in their own homes for as long as possible. This chapter catalogs our research between 2016 and 2023 about the needs of OAs in and around their homes. Using 10 user-centered research methodologies, we took a cross-cultural approach to conducting 69 studies in the US and JP. The primary goal of these studies was to identify the challenges OAs face in their daily lives and better understand user preferences for robotic assistance for such challenges. This grounded understanding is necessary to design both the robot and the interactions between the human and the robot. Our findings indicate five overarching themes about OA challenges: mobility and stability; moving heavy objects; dexterity; cognitive aging and social support; and sensory and physical decline. This chapter should be used as a guide to inspire the development of robotic technologies that OAs need and want to use and enable them to live independently longer.