Chrysikou, Evangelia; Biddulph, jane; Loizides, Fernando; Jones, Nathan; Hobbs, Helen; Savvopoulou, Eleftheria; Hatcha, Taha; Chrysikou, Evangelia; Biddulph, jane; Loizides, Fernando; Jones, Nathan; Hobbs, Helen; Savvopoulou, Eleftheria; Hatcha, Taha; Rehn-Groenendijk, Jonas; - view fewer (2025) Robot-human cohabitation: A framework for people living with frailty. Presented at: European Healthcare Design Conference 2025, London, UK.

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Abstract

Europe and the UK are promoting innovation for people living with frailty (PLWF) with robots at the forefront. Yet, the adoption of robots in care environments is limited to devices such as voice assistants, even though the robotic industry races to break the commercialisation barrier. Our research, by bringing together expertise from healthcare architecture, population health, human-computer interaction and clinical practice, uncovered a link between robots being tested in labs bearing little resemblance to actual built environments (BE) as a barrier to the adoption of such technologies. This discontinuity leads to care environments not designed for robots or the needs of PLWF and to not-fit-for-purpose robots for home use, even robots could support PLWF with activities promoting mental and physical agility. Findings led to the creation of a framework for human-robot cohabitation and smart technologies within the built environment. Methodology included meetings with allied health professionals, visiting the Robot House, home visits including auditing eight lived-in residential properties of PLWF in sheltered housing at Gloucester City Homes. 3D scans of all properties and CAD floor plans were made. 3D scan images were produced to recreate plans of actual lived-in extra care environments simulating robot’s function within the home environment, using personas for different case scenarios. Based on data collected, the team produced a multi-level-framework that can lead to future research exploring robot and PLWF co-habitation in real homes. It incorporates three levels that triangulate the resident’s needs, BE and robots/technology. Level 1 refers to “Identifying user needs, preferences and social cohesiveness”, Level 2 to “The Architectural Structure & Built Environment Features”, e.g. how does the BE need to be designed or adjusted to fit the requirements of the robots to be implemented and Level 3-“Technology considerations for the robotic system” to the various types and functionalities of robots. Currently, most available robots would not adequately fit in an independent living accommodation. This framework encompasses a vision where inclusive residential design supports aging through facilitation of the use of technological advances and can be used to aid the planning of homes for living with/and technological support for an aging population with diverse and changing needs, with the intention to minimise relocation due to those needs. By unifying these three essential aspects it enables a range of stakeholders, such as planners, architects, housing providers, etc. to consider aspects of those factors that may have hitherto been overlooked.

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