Human Interactive Robotics for Healthcare

Project leader

Linda Sørensen, Technological Intervention Center, Department of Innovation,  Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital

Abstract

HIRo proposes a new concept for improving healthcare and homecare services through the integration of a humanoid robot (EVE). The goal is to have the robot supporting staff and patients is daily tasks such as transporting or handing over equipment needed for medical duties; helping patients finding their way in the consultation facilities; or aiding less autonomous patients to reach for objects or moving around. Our multidisciplinary team is uniquely suited for this work, including healthcare and homecare forerunners in hospital and municipal contexts, ground-breaking robot developers, and skilled human-machine interaction and safety researchers.

The application of the robot will focus on identified needs from both healthcare staff and patients. Its placement is integrated with ongoing changes in hospital facilities and municipal services and we expect EVE will potentiate their impact on the way the staff works and defining which new services can be made available. In this project we will work closely with health staff and patient to pinpoint the necessities, wishes, and expectations for interaction with a humanoid robot. Likewise, we will study which are the adoption barriers and the potential unwanted effects of the introduction of the robot in the healthcare and home-care contexts. This work will be crucial for the development of useful and efficient robot platforms that are accepted by healthcare staff and patients.

In HIRo we will identify concrete contexts in healthcare and home-care where several types of tasks and applications of an advanced humanoid robot could be experimented and implemented. Our objective is that we are able to deliver an innovative solution to real challenges in day to day tasks. We will conduct surveys, interviews, meetings, workshops and discussions to better understand the needs, attitudes, and perception of the role of the Robot. We will conduct simulation and real-world tests where the staff and patients will cooperate with the robot. This will allow us to study for instance, how the robot’s communication can impact humans' perception of friendliness and trustworthiness; or the staff’s and patients’ perception of the robot's intentions and willingness to collaborate.

Ethical approvals

REK 178148

Funding

Norwegian Research Council (50%) Partners own contributions

Time period

Aug 21- Juli 24