Responses to a social robot by elderly users

The possibilities of using robots in eldercare have inspired a growing number of research projects. Not only can robotic technologies be used for rehabilitation, also they could facilitate the work of caregivers and provide social company for elders. In our project we are interested in the acceptance of robotic technology by elders and particularly in the influence of a robots social abilities on acceptance. Several studies on interaction with robots stress the importance of social intelligence and even more so in a health- and eldercare environment. It shows a more social intelligent robot will be more effective in its communication and it can therefore be expected to be easier and more pleasant to interact with and therefore would be indeed accepted easier.