Principal Investigator Cynthia Breazeal
Project Website http://www.media.mit.edu/projects/designing-social-robots-for-elders/overview/
The increasing geographical separation and the technological divide has made it more difficult for elders to interact with their families. Most countries are projected to see their population of 65 and older surpass the share that is younger than 15 by 2050. The limitations of current aging assisting solutions, the increased social and emotional toll on caregivers and inability of institutions to create structural solutions in a timely manner calls for a paradigm shift in the way we approach aging.
As researchers, designers, family members we view aging as a natural progression of life, and think about how we could solve this problem for our future selves while preparing the fullest possible experience of life.
As these new meanings of age, aged and aging are re-negotiated at a personal and collective level, the main goal of this research initiative is to study the aging adults’ daily living assistance, social and emotional needs and intergenerational connection while exploring the optimized modalities for a social robot to successfully deliver these interactions and build a long-term companionship.