In a world where technology is rapidly evolving, the gap between the digitally proficient and those less familiar with technology is widening. This divide is particularly evident among the elderly population.
The post-COVID-19 era has further isolated many elderly individuals, exacerbating their unfamiliarity with digital tools and increasing feelings of loneliness. To address this, our group is proud to introduce the Robot X – a technological companion designed to bridge this gap. This innovative solution aims to connect, engage, and uplift the spirits of our elderly community.
Role
UIUX Designer/ User Researcher
Duration
August 2023 - December 2023
Project Type
Product & Mobile APP Design
Research
Surveys and in-depth interviews
Surveys provided a broad quantitative view of the elderly's preferences and expectations regarding technology.
In-depth interviews offered qualitative insights, delving into the personal experiences and individual needs of our elderly participants.
We crafted three personas – Lin, Cai, and Wang – to represent a spectrum of our target user base, helping us explore various interaction scenarios.
Research Participant Profiles
Our findings highlight the critical need to design socially assistive smart robots that accommodate diverse levels of technological proficiency and address emotional needs, thereby ensuring accessibility and enhancing the daily lives of the elderly. Key insights revealed that elderly users highly value the robot's capacity to engage in meaningful conversation, suggest entertainment options, and deliver educational content in an accessible manner. These interactions not only fulfill their emotional and social needs but also support their psychological well-being and promote social learning. The research underscores the significance of an intuitive user interface and the robot's ability to adjust its features based on the user's mood and preferences.
Tutorial: The Tutorial function of our app offers instructional videos to help users, explore the internet with ease. Robot X assists users in learning how to navigate the web and use online tools, making it simpler for them to connect with family and friends. This feature ensures that users can stay in touch with their loved ones while gaining confidence in using internet technologies.
Entertainment: The Entertainment function of our app provides tailored entertainment suggestions based on real-time detection of the user's mood by Robot X. By analyzing the user's emotional state, Robot X offers personalized recommendations to enhance the user's experience and well-being.
Design and App
The design capabilities and key concept behind our input technique
To enhance the efficiency of using Robot X, we have designed a companion support app. This app helps users learn about the various features of Robot X and provides prompt technical support.
Robot X's basic features
● Adorable and approachable appearance, intentionally avoiding a human-like shape to enhance friendliness and relatability.
● Cameras and sound receivers located on both sides.
● Microphone positioned on the back of the head for seamless communication with users.
● Battery level display on its body, enabling easy monitoring of power status.
● Wireless charging capability, allowing an autonomous return to its charging station when battery levels are low.
● Wheels for smooth and unrestricted movement.
Design Capabilities - App
Mood: The mood function of our app detects and displays the user's current emotional state, allowing for more personalized and responsive interaction with Robot X. By monitoring and updating the user's mood in real time, the app helps tailor Robot X's responses and actions to suit the user's needs better.
Conversation: The Conversation function of our app allows users to chat with Robot X, with all conversations automatically saved for future reference. This feature helps Robot X assist users in marking down important information, enabling users to easily keep track of their discussions and retrieve past interactions when needed.
We designed the accessible mode to ensure that Robot X can be easily used by everyone, including those with disabilities. This mode offers customizable settings such as larger text, voice commands, and simplified navigation to enhance usability and inclusivity. By providing these features, we aim to make interacting with Robot X seamless and accessible for all users.
Input Techniques
Concepts
Data Collection & Analysis
Participants interacted with a prototype of the Smart Social Robot in a simulated home environment.
Tasks included:
Initiating and engaging in conversations with the robot.
Using the robot's entertainment recommendation feature.
Exploring instructional and accessibility features.
We meticulously recorded these sessions, capturing both verbal and non-verbal cues, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the user experience.
We utilized Affinity Diagramming to categorize and identify patterns in user responses and behaviors.
Group discussions enabled the collective interpretation of data, enriching our understanding of user needs.
Quantitative measures such as task completion time, error rates, and satisfaction ratings were analyzed to assess the prototype's functionality and user-friendliness.
User Study Results
User Interaction with the Robot:
All participants successfully initiated conversations with Robot X, though comfort levels varied. Lin found it quite intuitive, while Wang needed more time to adjust.
Non-verbal cues like nodding and facial expressions were observed, especially when the robot provided clear instructions or entertaining content.
Entertainment Recommendations:
The entertainment feature was well-received, particularly by Cai, who enjoyed tailored music and video suggestions.
Some participants suggested adding more variety, including nostalgic content and simple games.
Educational and Accessibility Features:
Participants appreciated Robot X's instructional mode, finding it helpful for learning new tasks.
Accessibility features like voice commands and larger text options were praised for their user-friendliness, especially by participants with limited tech experience.
Emotional Responses:
The robot's ability to recognize and respond to emotional cues received mixed reactions. Lin found it comforting, while Wang was initially skeptical about its effectiveness.
Overall Satisfaction and Usability:
Participants rated their overall satisfaction with the robot positively, with an average score of 4 out of 5.
Usability challenges included navigating complex menus and adjusting to the robot's speech pace.
