JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

This research examines the social well-being of elderly singletons through the companionship of a social robot, LOVOT. The robot is designed to provide humans with love and affection. It has special features: internal temperature regulation allowing it to maintain the average body temperature of humans, verbal and physical responses to human interactions, and attentive eyes. Given its ease of use and endearing, pet-like features, LOVOT is marketed as an ideal companion for older persons. This research investigated how elderly singletons perceive technology and benefit from interacting with LOVOT, in order to guide future development of social robots with affectionate and warm features.

Objective:

Phenomenological research design is used to understand participants' experiences of companionship provided by social robots.

Methods:

Five elderly female singletons aged between 60-75 years old participated in the study. They were each presented with a LOVOT in their homes, rather than in care facilities in previous studies. After the researchers explained the features and operations of LOVOT, the participants interacted with the robot independently for a week. Thereafter, participants are invited to a post-study interview on the eighth day to share their experiences interacting with LOVOT.

Results:

Four main themes emerged through the interactions of the elderly singletons and LOVOT: caring for a social robot, comforting presence of the social robot, meaningful connections with the social robot, and preference of LOVOT over pets.

Conclusions:

The results of the study indicate that elderly singletons may obtain some psychosocial support through their interactions with LOVOT. Namely, the social robot is easily accepted as a companion and makes elderly singletons feel as if they have a purpose and someone to connect with. Clinical Trial: The University of Hong Kong Human Research Ethics Committee (HKU HREC: EA220116)