Literature Review and Research Log: Entry 4

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide

Oct 26, 2019

Dr. Terwilliger

Abstract Comment by Terwilliger, Brent A.: Plan to update this section AFTER you have concluded your research and development work

This paper aims to conduct a literature review on how robots can be used to provide care for the elderly in society. The paper also identifies a robotic system tool that can be used to enhance human-robot interaction. The paper also analyzes the link between this topic and other related studies. Other technological advancements that can be used to provide care for the elderly have also been discussed. Finally, the paper provides design limitations for the proposed design model.

Keywords: Robots, cue cards, loneliness, toolkit

Introduction Comment by Terwilliger, Brent A.: See the following for guidance on formatting headings in APA: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/apa_headings_and_seriation.html

The number of aging people throughout the world is expected to increase from 12% currently to 22% by the year 2050 (World Health Organization [WHO], 2018). Prior research indicates that effective health care extends the lifespan of the elderly (WHO, 2018). This objective has proved to be impractical due to expense and the current state of infrastructure, which does not support the elderly to a higher extent (Chamie, 2019). Increasing the number of caregivers represents one option to lower the ratio of assigned responsibilities and improve individualized care (citation to support this assertion). Therefore, the extension in use of robots to homes and hospitals and more uses for the elderly in the provision of major services, such as feeding and washing may provide an effective mechanism to greatly reduce the costs of medical care for the elderly. Comment by Terwilliger, Brent A.: Use the material created for assignment 1.4 here

​ Research indicates that though medical robots are yet to be widely adopted in homes, hospitals have used the technology (e.g., examples; citations). In countries such as Japan, where the elderly numbers are very high, Robots have been used in providing social interactions and monitoring in hospitals (Espingardeiro, 2017). Robotics are necessary for hospitals in providing relief to caregivers' routine chores (citation). When using robots, caregivers have the opportunity to attend to more pressing responsibilities (citation). Additionally, robotics have made medical procedures safer and cost-effective for many patients (citation).

​ Robotic systems have been demonstrated to support feeding people with different foods, when given little time to learn (McQuate-Washington, 2019). Eating, social comfort, and monitoring may not be the only help required for the elderly. Therefore, a proposition to create a ground robot with abilities to prepare and feed the elderly will be the focus for this development project. The robot will feature technology and processes to support the scanning and detection of objects such as knife, plate, and food; identify different objects; and formulate an image for each item. After the Robot has formulated the different objects, it will support the selection of appropriate utensils, prepare the food for consumption, and place it on a plate to serve. The robot would contain various parts to assist, including mechanical elements (e.g., motor, piston, grippers, wheel, and gearing; Siciliano & Khatib, 2016). These parts are key in movement, grabbing and lifting of objects. The main idea is to support the elderly to eat simple foods, without requiring the help of a human caregiver.

This e concept is about the need forrepresents using robots to provide care for the elderly and has has been around for some years now. This idea has, however, become more relevant as the gap between the elderly and caregivers continue to widen. This issue is more pronounced in countries likesuch as Japan, where it is estimated that by 2025 there will be a shortage of about one million caregivers (citation). The United States is also facing the same challenge as the elderly population is expected to rise to 26% by 2050 (Chamie, 2019). The cost of elder care is also becoming uncontrollable. The shortage of caregivers together with the growing financial burdens calls for a better way to care for the elderly population.

Literature Rreview

According to Espingardeiro, (2017), various healthcare organizations across the world have adopted robotic technology in providing care for the elderly. Include a brief discussion of what subheadings follow in this section.

Background

Social isolation and loneliness have already become a big problem for the elderly population and are linked to various adverse effects such as cognitive decline (citation). With the expected increase in the population of the elderly, many are worried that the experiences of social isolation may also increase (citation). Multiple studies have however shown that social robots trained to communicate and interact with humans could address this issue effectively (citations). Researchers believe that this technology will increase independence and reduce loneliness in the elderly population (citation). The Japanese government is considering introducing robots in elderly home cares to address the issue of loneliness (McQuate-Washington, 2019). Comment by Terwilliger, Brent A.: Expand on this; discuss the specifics of these studies here. What do they have in common; what were the findings; what implications does this have to your research?

Design and Development Processes and Models

You need to examine and discuss the various robotic design processes, such as linear incremental (waterfall), rapid application development, and spiral, to identify which is best suited to your proposed project. Make sure to compare and contrast at least three, highlighting benefits and weaknesses, and finally identifying the rationale supporting your decision (supported using citation). See details of such processes here (mod 2 readings): https://erau.instructure.com/courses/103875/pages/2-dot-1-module-2-readings-and-multimedia-review?module_item_id=5761360

The tools selected for efficient human-robot interaction includes robot components and social cue cards. These cards would help to improve the efficiency of interaction by applies cues that are normally applied between human to human interaction to robot-human interaction. This can help robots exhibit human behavior. Cards obtained from the robots can also be used for further studies on how to enhance human-robot interaction (Porfirio et al., 2019).

Related Rresearch and Ddevelopment

According to McQuate-Washington, (2019), robots are capable of providing important services to people such as feeding them. The findings of the study show that robots can feed humans with different types of food after being trained. Robots can monitor and provide social comfort to the elderly. The study was however limited by resources as a comprehensive study in the area needs to be done for good results.

It would be beneficial to discuss cutting edge research developments that would support the development of your concept. Are there new artificial intelligence routines and processes; technology to monitor and manipulate support (e.g., feeding, environmental control, sortation, etc.); and has anyone led ground breaking research in related areas that could be adapted? Make sure to substantially expand this section and feel free to use third-level headings to help organize your material.

Technological Aadvancements

A new technology known as push to talk can be used to reduce loneliness among the elderly. This technology allows caregivers to connect with the elderly and also allows people who are at home to explore the world. This technology is very cheap and also easy for use by the elderly.

You need to expand on related technologies here; what advancements in AI, articulation and manipulation; processing and control; and sensing will help make your concept more viable?

Design Ooverview

Make sure to add a brief intro sentence indicating what is contained in this section (i.e., discuss what second level headings follow).

Architectural Overview

To include a high-level architectural design diagram depicting the overall design (subsystem to subsystem and any external dependencies, such as user or sensor inputs).

Theory of Operation

To include a discussion of how the system is intended to work.

Detailed Design

To provide presentation and discussion of subsystems and elements that comprise each subsystem (e.g., remotely operated element, power storage and distribution, sensing, processing and user control, and support equipment). Each subsystem could be presented as a second-level heading with the elements used for each discussed.

We designed a human-robot interaction tool kit to design a social robot that can serve the elderly effectively. The toolkit is made up of a robot case card, robot base card, human case card, and a human base card. The base cards are used to pass social cues that can be expressed by a robot and human. The human base card can be used to determine how a robot can perceive human cues. The following diagram shows how the base card is used. Comment by Terwilliger, Brent A.: Who is we? Do not use first or second person (e.g., I, we, me, my, us, our, etc.)

Figure 1: social HRI design toolkit components (Porfirio et al., 2019).

Design Ddecisions

The base cards are drawn with a robot and a person to exchange social cues. Once this has been done designers can explore how the robot reacts to the human cues. The relating case cards can be used to determine how robots respond to the cues.This section is to provide details concerning why specific choices were made in the design process.

Design Llimitations

This design is very expensive. The components required to develop such as systems are very unique and complex increasing the costs. Automation and human skills are also some of the limitations facing this design. While we have the idea of using human cues to develop robots it is not an easy task to implement the system (Siciliano & Khatib, 2016).

Logic Ddesign

A social human-robot interaction can be developed by combining the case cards to express social cues over the robot and human base cards. The cards can also be arranged in different styles. Consider the logic data flow diagram below.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has developed a design tool kit that can be used to enhance human-robot interaction. This can then be used to reduce loneliness and social isolation among the elderly population. By the use of this design toolkit, robot engineers can be able to develop robots that can help solve the issue of loneliness. This section should provide an overview of the logic design, to be covered later in the course. Describe how/why the system will react to specific inputs.

References Comment by Terwilliger, Brent A.: The presented references are not in correct APA format; see the following for guidance: https://www.mendeley.com/guides/apa-citation-guide