InnoSummer project 8/2011: Social Robotics

The goal of the Hyvinvoinnin Neloskierre project is to generate new environments of learning and innovation for environments providing welfare services. The purpose is to create a foundation for service and product development activities and the testing of new and existing services. This foundation is expected to be a significantly broader one than what would be feasible by establishing individual organizations.
Social robotics has risen to a point of interest in both industry publications as well as study programmes of several research institutes. Along with these trends, companies working with and/or considering co-operation with the Neloskierre project have taken interest in the many possibilities of using social robotics as an additional assistance for employees. They are also interested in knowing how the concept can be utilised to support a client's ability to perform, and to assist in independent performance.

Based on background reports and discussions had with developers in the field of robotics, some possible uses for social robotics have been mapped. The applications are commonly related to perception and activation of the brain. The term "social robotics" is closely related to service robotics, but is distinct for its emphasis on interactive feedback and also artificial intelligence, to some extent.

Essential development ideas:

In what kinds of learning and innovation circumstances and with what methods can the abilities and possibilities of social robotics be described to someone who is interested in it? Take into account that no real robots are usable due to their high costs. The idea is to develop a visual, possibly game-like application that could be used to demonstrate for instance the interactive social features and actions of a robot that has been acquired to help a lone elderly person living at home.

In what kinds of environments (different facilities, public spaces and events, customers' homes and their surroundings) and what kinds of "actions" (nursing, rehabilitation, care, customer self-accomplishing taking drugs…) and in which abstract situation (loneliness, insecurity) social robotics could help a person with different problems with his health or ability to perform everyday tasks can social robotics be applied to help? How can these person's relatives, family and healthcare personnel and organizations that provide this help be taken into account?
What qualities should the robot have from the customers perspective? (And who is the customer...?)

How can a robots investment costs be estimated in relation to the benefits gained with its help? (For instance saving working time, the costs of logistical solutions etc.)