The role of physical embodiment of a therapist robot for individuals with cognitive impairments

Abstract

This research focuses on studying the possible role of a socially interactive robot as a tool for monitoring and encouraging cognitive activities of the elderly and/or individuals suffering from dementia. One of the aims of this work is to show the benefits of the robot's physical embodiment in human-robot social interactions. The social therapist robot tries to provide customized cognitive stimulation by playing a music game with the user. The results of the 8-month pilot study depict a more efficient, natural, and preferred interaction with the robot rather than with the simulated robot.