Loneliness and social isolation are growing concerns among elderly populations, particularly in assisted living communities. Addressing this, researchers are exploring how social robots can foster engagement and encourage social interactions.
In Aspen Gardens, a UK housing complex for the elderly, a Furhat robot has been introduced in the common bistro area. Its purpose is to engage residents in conversations while preparing coffee orders through an automated coffee machine. The residents provide feedback to researchers to understand more about human robot-interactions.
This project is led by a team from The National Robotarium, the UK’s centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh). The centre pioneers cutting-edge robotic and AI solutions, collaborating closely with industry to bring research into real-world applications. The research group behind this initiative belongs to the Human-Robot Interaction division. It studies how people engage with robots and tackles key challenges in developing future robots for healthy aging and independent living, including how to build human trust in robots to encourage adoption.
Researchers programmed the Furhat robot with information about the local area, its history and ongoing activities to encourage residents to interact, share stories, and participate in social conversations. This programming helps the robot engage with the residents, and shows the researchers to which extent it promotes community connection and reduces loneliness. The project is led by Bruce Wilson, a PhD student at Heriot-Watt, along with David Robb and Dr Theodoros Georgiou, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Heriot-Watt University and The National Robotarium.
According to Wilson:
“This collaboration [...] is a vital part of our wider research initiative to understand how humans and robots interact in real-world settings. The data we gather will inform the future development of robotics across multiple sectors, particularly in social care where such technology could transform service delivery.”
Lisa Farrell, Business Development Manager at The National Robotarium, adds:
“By placing conversational robots in communities like Aspen Gardens, we’re not just conducting research – we’re advancing our understanding of how AI and robotics can genuinely improve quality of life for elderly residents while addressing pressing challenges in the care sector. This project represents a critical step in the National Robotarium’s mission to create people-centred, intelligence-driven robotic solutions that can be widely deployed to support an ageing population.”
