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Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation

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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Research

Exercising with Baxter: preliminary support for assistive social-physical human-robot interaction

Authors: Naomi T. Fitter, Mayumi Mohan, Katherine J. Kuchenbecker, Michelle J. Johnson

Published in: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

The worldwide population of older adults will soon exceed the capacity of assisted living facilities. Accordingly, we aim to understand whether appropriately designed robots could help older adults stay active at home.

Methods

Building on related literature as well as guidance from experts in game design, rehabilitation, and physical and occupational therapy, we developed eight human-robot exercise games for the Baxter Research Robot, six of which involve physical human-robot contact. After extensive iteration, these games were tested in an exploratory user study including 20 younger adult and 20 older adult users.

Results

Only socially and physically interactive games fell in the highest ranges for pleasantness, enjoyment, engagement, cognitive challenge, and energy level. Our games successfully spanned three different physical, cognitive, and temporal challenge levels. User trust and confidence in Baxter increased significantly between pre- and post-study assessments. Older adults experienced higher exercise, energy, and engagement levels than younger adults, and women rated the robot more highly than men on several survey questions.

Conclusions

The results indicate that social-physical exercise with a robot is more pleasant, enjoyable, engaging, cognitively challenging, and energetic than similar interactions that lack physical touch. In addition to this main finding, researchers working in similar areas can build on our design practices, our open-source resources, and the age-group and gender differences that we found.

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Title: Exercising with Baxter: preliminary support for assistive social-physical human-robot interaction
Authors: Naomi T. Fitter
Mayumi Mohan
Katherine J. Kuchenbecker
Michelle J. Johnson
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1743-0003
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-020-0642-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Exercising with Baxter: preliminary support for assistive social-physical human-robot interaction

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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