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Fiorini L, D'Onofrio G, Lorusso L, Russo S, Ciccone F, Giuliani F, Pihl T, Rovini E, Cavallo F. Stay cognitively and socially active with me: a six-month study of a socialization service. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2023; 2023:1-4. [PMID: 38082847 DOI: 10.1109/embc40787.2023.10340527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
50% of older adults over 60 years old are experiencing social isolation. Assistive technology can provide solutions that promote the connection with their families and other stakeholders. In this context, this paper presents a pilot study of a socialization service with 3 functions tested by 10 older adults and 10 informal caregivers. After a short training, participants were requested to use the system in their daily life for six months. At the beginning (T0) and at the end (T6) of the trial, qualitative structured questionnaires were addressed to investigate training, usability, acceptance (i.e. trust, anxiety, facilitating condition, enjoyment, and attitude), and user experience. Collected results underline good training, good usability of the system (SUS>68), and user experience for both groups. Furthermore, the values associated with acceptance domains are higher than 3.5 for intention to use and trust, at the end of the tests. We can observe a decreasing trend in stress associated with technology use. Informal caregivers have a higher evaluation of the system novelty with respect to older adults. Overall, qualitative feedback collected remarked the good impression of this service among the study's participants. Finally, this study represents a promising starting point for better investigating technology-based services that can improve the quality of life of older people living alone providing them with tools that can decrease their social isolation.Clinical Relevance- The results suggest the potential use of this type of service for promoting socialization among older adults thus reducing their loneliness.
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Corrales-Paredes A, Sanz DO, Terrón-López MJ, Egido-García V. User Experience Design for Social Robots: A Case Study in Integrating Embodiment. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:5274. [PMID: 37300001 PMCID: PMC10256079 DOI: 10.3390/s23115274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Social robotics is an emerging field with a high level of innovation. For many years, it was a concept framed in the literature and theoretical approaches. Scientific and technological advances have made it possible for robots to progressively make their way into different areas of our society, and now, they are ready to make the leap out of the industry and extend their presence into our daily lives. In this sense, user experience plays a fundamental role in achieving a smooth and natural interaction between robots and humans. This research focused on the user experience approach in terms of the embodiment of a robot, centring on its movements, gestures, and dialogues. The aim was to investigate how the interaction between robotic platforms and humans takes place and what differential aspects should be considered when designing the robot tasks. To achieve this objective, a qualitative and quantitative study was conducted based on a real interview between several human users and the robotic platform. The data were gathered by recording the session and having each user complete a form. The results showed that participants generally enjoyed interacting with the robot and found it engaging, which led to greater trust and satisfaction. However, delays and errors in the robot's responses caused frustration and disconnection. The study found that incorporating embodiment into the design of the robot improved the user experience, and the robot's personality and behaviour were significant factors. It was concluded that robotic platforms and their appearance, movements, and way of communicating have a decisive influence on the user's opinion and the way they interact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Corrales-Paredes
- Science, Computation and Technology Department, School of Architecture, Engineering and Design, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain;
| | - Diego Ortega Sanz
- Aerospace and Industrial Engineering Department, School of Architecture, Engineering and Design, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain;
| | - María-José Terrón-López
- Aerospace and Industrial Engineering Department, School of Architecture, Engineering and Design, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain;
| | - Verónica Egido-García
- Vice-Dean Engineering, School of Architecture, Engineering and Design, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
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Lorusso L, Mosmondor M, Grguric A, Toccafondi L, D’Onofrio G, Russo S, Lampe J, Pihl T, Mayer N, Vignani G, Lesterpt I, Vaamonde L, Giuliani F, Bonaccorsi M, La Viola C, Rovini E, Cavallo F, Fiorini L. Design and Evaluation of Personalized Services to Foster Active Aging: The Experience of Technology Pre-Validation in Italian Pilots. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:797. [PMID: 36679590 PMCID: PMC9863060 DOI: 10.3390/s23020797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Assistive devices could promote independent living and support the active and healthy aging of an older population; however, several factors can badly influence the long-term use of new technologies. In this context, this paper presents a two-step methodology called “pre-validation” that aims to identify the factors that can bias the use of new services, thus minimizing the risk of an unsuccessful longer trial. The proposed pre-validation methodology is composed of two main phases that aim to assess the usability and the reliability of the technology assessed in a laboratory environment and the usability, acceptability, user experience, and reliability of the technology in real environments. The tested services include the socialization scenario, in which older adults are better connected to the community via technological solutions (i.e., socialization applications), and the monitoring scenario, which allows for the introduction of timely interventions (technologies involved include environmental monitoring sensors, a telepresence robot, wearable sensors, and a personalized dashboard). The obtained results underline an acceptable usability level (average System Usability Scale score > 65) for the tested technologies (i.e., socialization applications and a telepresence robot). Phase Two also underlines the good acceptability, user experience, and usability of the tested services. The statistical analysis underlines a correlation between the stress related to the use of technology, digital skills, and intention of use, among other factors. Qualitative feedback also remarks on a correlation between older adults with low digital skills and an anxiety about using technology. Positive correlation indexes were highlighted between the trust and usability scores. Eventually, future long-term trials with assistive technology should rely on motivated caregivers, be founded on a strong recruitment process, and should reassure older adults—especially the ones with low digital literacy—about the use of technology by proposing personalized training and mentoring, if necessary, to increase the trust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Lorusso
- Innovation and Research Unit, IRCCSFondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Miran Mosmondor
- Ericsson Nikola Tesla d.d., Krapinska 45, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Andrej Grguric
- Ericsson Nikola Tesla d.d., Krapinska 45, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lara Toccafondi
- Umana Persone Development & Research Social Enterprise, 58100 Grosseto, Italy
| | - Grazia D’Onofrio
- Clinical Psychology Service, Health Department, IRCCSFondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Sergio Russo
- Innovation and Research Unit, IRCCSFondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Gianna Vignani
- Umana Persone Development & Research Social Enterprise, 58100 Grosseto, Italy
| | | | | | - Francesco Giuliani
- Innovation and Research Unit, IRCCSFondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Carlo La Viola
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Erika Rovini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Filippo Cavallo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Laura Fiorini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Firenze, Italy
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Fiorini L, Rovini E, Russo S, Toccafondi L, D’Onofrio G, Cornacchia Loizzo FG, Bonaccorsi M, Giuliani F, Vignani G, Sancarlo D, Greco A, Cavallo F. On the Use of Assistive Technology during the COVID-19 Outbreak: Results and Lessons Learned from Pilot Studies. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:s22176631. [PMID: 36081090 PMCID: PMC9460223 DOI: 10.3390/s22176631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
As a consequence of the COVID-19 emergency, frail citizens felt isolated because of social isolation, suspended and/or strongly reduced home assistance, and limited access to hospitals. In this sense, assistive technology could play a pivotal role in empowering frail older adults reducing their isolation, as well as in reinforcing the work of formal caregivers and professionals. In this context, the goal of this paper is to present four pilot studies-conducted from March 2020 to April 2021-to promptly react to COVID-19 by providing assistive technology solutions, aiming to (1) guarantee high-quality service to older adults in-home or in residential facility contexts, (2) promote social inclusion, and (3) reduce the virus transmission. In particular, four services, namely, telepresence service, remote monitoring service, virtual visit, and environmental disinfection, were designed, implemented, and tested in real environments involving 85 end-users to assess the user experience and/or preliminary assess the technical feasibility. The results underlined that all the proposed services were generally accepted by older adults and professionals. Additionally, the results remarked that the use of telepresence robots in private homes and residential facilities increased enjoyment reducing anxiety, whereas the monitoring service supported the clinicians in monitoring the discharged COVID-19 patients. It is also worth mentioning that two new services/products were developed to disinfect the environment and to allow virtual visits within the framework of a hospital information system. The virtual visits service offered the opportunity to expand the portfolio of hospital services. The main barriers were found in education, technology interoperability, and ethical/legal/privacy compliance. It is also worth mentioning the key role played by an appropriate design and customer needs analysis since not all assistive devices were designed for older persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Fiorini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, FI, Italy
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56025 Pontedera, PI, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Erika Rovini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, FI, Italy
| | - Sergio Russo
- ICT, Innovation and Research Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Lara Toccafondi
- Umana Persone Development & Research Social Enterprise, 58100 Grosseto, GR, Italy
| | - Grazia D’Onofrio
- Clinical Psychology Service, Health Department, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | | | | | - Francesco Giuliani
- ICT, Innovation and Research Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Gianna Vignani
- Umana Persone Development & Research Social Enterprise, 58100 Grosseto, GR, Italy
| | - Daniele Sancarlo
- Geriatrics Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- Geriatrics Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Filippo Cavallo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, FI, Italy
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56025 Pontedera, PI, Italy
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Oberschmidt K, van Velsen L, Grünloh C, Fiorini L, Rovini E, Melero Muñoz FJ. International eHealth ecosystems and the quest for the winning value proposition: findings from a survey study. OPEN RESEARCH EUROPE 2022; 2:56. [PMID: 37645272 PMCID: PMC10445862 DOI: 10.12688/openreseurope.14655.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND eHealth ecosystems are becoming increasingly important for national and international healthcare. In such ecosystems, different actors are connected and work together to create mutual value. However, it is important to be aware of the goals that each actor pursues within the ecosystem. METHOD This study describes the outcomes of a workshop (30 participants) and two surveys (completed by 54 and 100 participants), which investigated how different types of industry stakeholders, namely social services, healthcare, technology developers and researchers, rated potential value propositions for an eHealth ecosystem. Both the feasibility and the importance of each proposition was taken into account. RESULTS Interoperability between services was highly valued across industry types but there were also vast differences concerning other propositions. CONCLUSION Jointly reflecting on the different perceived values of an ehealth ecosystem can help actors working together to form an ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira Oberschmidt
- Biomedical Signals and Systems Group, University of Twente, Enschede, 7500AE, The Netherlands
- eHealth department, Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, 7500 AH, The Netherlands
| | - Lex van Velsen
- Biomedical Signals and Systems Group, University of Twente, Enschede, 7500AE, The Netherlands
- eHealth department, Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, 7500 AH, The Netherlands
| | - Christiane Grünloh
- Biomedical Signals and Systems Group, University of Twente, Enschede, 7500AE, The Netherlands
- eHealth department, Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, 7500 AH, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Fiorini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, Florence, 50139, Italy
| | - Erika Rovini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, Florence, 50139, Italy
| | - Francisco José Melero Muñoz
- Telecommunication Networks Engineering Group, Technical University of Cartagena, Cartagena, 30202, Spain
- Technical Research Centre of Furniture and Wood of the Region of Murcia (CETEM), Yecla, 30510, Spain
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Integration and Deployment of Cloud-Based Assistance System in Pharaon Large Scale Pilots—Experiences and Lessons Learned. ELECTRONICS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/electronics11091496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The EU project Pharaon aims to support older European adults by integrating digital services, tools, interoperable open platforms, and devices. One of the objectives is to validate the integrated solutions in large-scale pilots. The integration of mature solutions and existing systems is one of the preconditions for the successful realization of the different aims of the pilots. One such solution is an intelligent, privacy-aware home-care assistance system, SmartHabits. After briefly introducing the Pharaon and SmartHabits, the authors propose different Pharaon models in the Ambient/Active Assisted Living (AAL) domain, namely the Pharaon conceptual model, Pharaon reference logical architecture view, AAL ecosystem model, meta AAL ecosystem model, and Pharaon ecosystem and governance models. Building on the proposed models, the authors provide details of the holistic integration and deployment process of the SmartHabits system into the Pharaon ecosystem. Both technical and supporting integration challenges and activities are discussed. Technical activities, including syntactic and semantic integration and securing the transfer of the Pharaon sensitive data, are among the priorities. Supporting activities include achieving legal and regulatory compliance, device procurement, and use-case co-designing in COVID-19 conditions.
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Fiorini L, Sorrentino A, Pistolesi M, Becchimanzi C, Tosi F, Cavallo F. Living With a Telepresence Robot: Results From a Field-Trial. IEEE Robot Autom Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1109/lra.2022.3155237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Fiorini
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Mattia Pistolesi
- Department of Architecture, Ergonomics & Design Lab (LED), Department of Architecture, Ergonomics & Design Lab (LED), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Becchimanzi
- Department of Architecture, Ergonomics & Design Lab (LED), Department of Architecture, Ergonomics & Design Lab (LED), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Tosi
- Department of Architecture, Ergonomics & Design Lab (LED), Department of Architecture, Ergonomics & Design Lab (LED), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Filippo Cavallo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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