Testing the social robot LOVOT´s interaction with mentally impaired/autistic adults: preliminary findings
ABSTRACT
Background:
Persons with autism and mental impairment face communicative, social, and behavioral challenges and there is a need to establish effective interventions to improve quality of daily life. Social robots working with autistic children have successfully improved their communication, social behavior and reduced stereotypic behavior. There is only limited evidence regarding effectiveness of social robots.
Objective:
To investigate the interactions, effects on well-being, experiences from healthcare professionals and ethical aspects of deploying the LOVOT social robot as a tool for adults with autism and mental impairment.
Methods:
Two social robots have been deployed in three residences. A total of 12 adults with autism and mental impairment were recruited. Individual planned sessions on interaction with the social robots are being carried out twice a week for 20-30 minutes over a period of six months. Participant-observations is carried out every second week during the six months on themes such as well-being, interaction with the robot, level of arousal, eye contact and communication. Observations have been documented through standardized observation protocols and by video recording. Experiences from healthcare professionals and ethical aspects have been explored using semi-structured interviews.
Results:
Preliminary results indicate that LOVOT has improved the well-being of subjects. Although the subjects’ interest in LOVOT varies, the healthcare professionals report that some subjects find great satisfaction interacting with LOVOT, describing LOVOT as a friend, and that LOVOT can provide comfort in stressed situations. Two LOVOTs were damaged by the subjects during the study, indicating the importance of robust material in intervention with adults with autism and mental impairment.
Conclusions:
Preliminary findings indicate that social robots can increase well-being among persons with autism and mental impairment. Future care of persons with autism and mental impairment might benefit from the use of social robots as part of their care and quality of life.
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