Mutual shaping in the design of socially assistive robots: A case study on social robots for therapy

Abstract

This paper offers a case study in undertaking a mutual shaping approach to the design of socially assistive robots. We consider the use of social robots in therapy, and we present our results regarding this application, but the approach is generalisable. Our methodology combines elements of user-centered and participatory design with a focus on mutual learning. We present it in full alongside a more general guide for application to other areas. This approach led to valuable results concerning mutual shaping effects and societal factors regarding the use of such robots early in the design process. We also measured a significant shift in participant robot acceptance pre-/post-study, demonstrating that our approach led to the two-way sharing and shaping of knowledge, ideas and acceptance.

Citation

Winkle, K., Caleb-Solly, P., Turton, A., & Bremner, P. (in press). Mutual shaping in the design of socially assistive robots: A case study on social robots for therapy. International Journal of Social Robotics, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-019-00536-9

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 15, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Mar 7, 2019
• Deposit Date: Apr 30, 2019
• Journal: International Journal of Social Robotics
• Print ISSN: 1875-4791
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 1-20
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-019-00536-9
• Keywords: socially assistive robots, robots in therapy, robot acceptance, design methods, qualitative research methods
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/850975
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12369-019-00536-9