Where is the robot being used and who benefits the most from it?
Graf: We believe the robot is best suited for older adults and individuals with mobility impairments, who can significantly benefit from its active approach and the everyday support it provides. The multimodal user interface allows users to interact with the outside world via telepresence or telemedicine technologies for example. These functions supply users with a safer home environment in case of emergencies. The mobile robot is also capable of actively addressing the user thanks to reminder, activation or entertainment functions. You could also link and tie in available, tablet-based assistance systems or smart home solutions in this setting.
The robot was developed as part of the "Emotion-sensitive Assistance Systems for Reactive Psychological Interaction with People" (EmAsIn) funded research project.
Graf: One of the project’s objectives was to team up with project partners and develop an assistance system for dementia patients in long-term care facilities. The assistance system is designed to give care residents personalized support, deliver motivation and improve their quality of life. It was implemented on MobiKa, tried out in comprehensive practical testing and continuously improved. We set up sensors in a meeting room at a Bruderhaus Diakonie facility and connected them to MobiKa. This enabled the robot to collect information about the people in the room, allowing it to roll up to specific people and display relevant content.
What sets it apart from other interactive robots?
Graf: The market offers several mobile telepresence robots, but they are often fully remote-controlled. Telepresence is typically their only feature and function. Meanwhile, MobiKa is far more versatile and can navigate fully autonomously. This wider range of operation sets MobiKa apart from other interactive robots that are already out on the market.