=Paper=
{{Paper
|id=Vol-2059/paper8
|storemode=property
|title=Japan-Sweden Academia-Industry International Collaboration: Challenges
in Developing a Robotic Assistive Eating Device for Frail Elderly's Independent Life
|pdfUrl=https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-2059/paper8.pdf
|volume=Vol-2059
|authors=Jorge Solis,Ann-Louise Lindborg,Miki Saijo,Yukio Takeda,Cheng Zhang,Ryuta Takeda
}}
==Japan-Sweden Academia-Industry International Collaboration: Challenges
in Developing a Robotic Assistive Eating Device for Frail Elderly's Independent Life==
https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-2059/paper8.pdf
Japan-Sweden Academia-Industry International
Collaboration: Challenges in developing a robotic
assistive eating device for frail elderly’s independent life
Jorge Solis1,3,4, Ann-Louise Lindborg2,3, Miki Saijo4, Yukio Takeda4, Cheng Zhang5,
Ryuta Takeda6
1 Karlstad University, Universitetsgatan, 2 651 88, Karlstad, Sweden
2 Camanio Care AB, Hästholmsvägen 32, 6tr, 131 30, Stockholm, Sweden
3Mälardalen University, Högskoleplan 1, 722 20, Västerås, Sweden
4 Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, 152-8552, Tokyo, Japan
5 Waseda University, 2-4-12, Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, 169-0072, Tokyo, Japan
6 Leave a Nest Co. Ltd., 5F 1-4 Shimomiyabi-cho, Shinjuku-ku, 162-0822, Tokyo, Japan
solis@ieee.org
Abstract. This project aims at making a mock-up of a multi grip tool for a robotic
assistive device and a camera system which enable frail elderly to live more in-
dependently and to keep track of their food intake. The robot will be developed
through user centered design with analyses of real use cases in Japan and Sweden.
Thanks to the collaborating researchers with a strong applied research approach
as well as the companies with a strong experience in engineering solutions in
both the Japanese and Swedish teams, the functionalities of Bestic, an assistive
eating device, could be enhanced for commercial use, and distributed to munici-
palities and to the general pub
Keywords: Eating assistive device, user centered design, user test.
1 Introduction
Following the Memorandum of Cooperation concluded in June 2015 between the Min-
istry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Ministry
of Enterprise and Innovation in Sweden; in the 2016, the Japan Science and Technology
Agency (JST) and the Swedish equivalent Vinnova launched a bilateral call for pro-
posal: Japan - Sweden Academia-Industry International Collaboration Program on In-
novative Solutions, Community Design and Services for Elderly People [1]. Building
on earlier long-standing fruitful co-operation in promoting and funding Japanese-Swe-
dish research collaboration, JST and Vinnova have decided to work together to promote
innovation oriented collaboration involving research organizations and industry in both
countries.
The aim of this program (currently under the Phase 1) is for the joint project consist-
ing of one Japanese academia–industry team and one Swedish academia–industry team
to develop new solutions and/or to combine solutions in each respective country in order
2
to propose and verify the innovativeness and potential effectiveness of new equipment,
services and community designs [2].
As for the Phase 1, four different projects were selected [3]. As one of the selected
projects, our project entitled robotic assistive device with multi-grip tools and vision
system for frail elderly’s independent life has started in January 2017 and will end up
until March 2019. In the following sections, we describe the background, challenges and
preliminary findings from our joint meetings.
2 Background
Undernutrition is a large problem amongst elderly. In Sweden many elderly lives alone
with the help of home care services and then it is often many different care givers in-
volved, so to keep track of what a person is eating over the day and over time is difficult.
These problems occur as well in Japan in the long-term care (LTC) system. Japan and
Sweden share the same problem with the demographical development and both coun-
tries are robot and technical friendly. This gives a common goal to manage to take care
of our elderly 2022.
For most people, chopsticks or knife and fork is sufficient as eating aids. But some
need a bit more advanced eating aids due to accident, neurological disease, or congenital
disabilities that have caused mobility impairment in arms or hands. Potential users of an
eating aid are persons with different neurological disease such as multiple sclerosis, po-
lio, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, spinal injuries or ataxia.
The eating aid, Bestic, is made to get the food from the plate to the mouth, controlled
by the user (Figure 1). The development of Bestic started as a master thesis by Ann-
Louise Lindborg at Chalmers in 2004 [5]. Meanwhile, Sten Hemmingsson has estab-
lished a company around the product, called Bestic AB. The design concept, where con-
tact with the users during the whole development process [4], was focused on getting
friendly, kitchen-aid looking shape with the following characteristics: small, quiet and
portable.
Fig. 1. Overall international organization and approaches to the proposed project
3
In our project, we are aiming to enable Bestic to new functionalities and to create
food intake reports in order to decrease undernutrition among frail elderly. For this pur-
pose, the authors have proposed the following objectives: to adapt the eating assistive
robot to Japanese customs and meals; to create food intake reports; to provide new pos-
sibilities for independence by adding new functionalities with multi-grip tools and to
elucidate the social system that supports frail elderly with eating.
3 Eating device with multi-grip tools and camera
In this project, the authors intend to introduce robotic devices to maintain the independ-
ence for elderly that have got decreased functionalities in their arms. To be independent
and not need to ask for help or describe how the help/work shall be done is highly valued
by most persons. It may also save families or care professionals time. We have a vision
for aging society which support and widen the possibility of their independent life by
introducing novel multimodal and multipurpose robotic assistive device.
For this purpose, the authors have proposed the following possible approach:
• User centered design and challenge oriented approach
• User tests and interviews to gather data about: the whole mealtime situation, how
the assistive eating aid works, how caregivers and relatives are affected and what
more do they wish to use the assistive aid for (except for eating for the users) by
testing Bestic in Japan and Sweden.
• Agile prototyping of safe multi-grip tool for the eating assistive device in order to
widen the usability in different ways.
• Make a feasibility study of the vision system and test different potential applica-
tions with innovative technology.
We propose implementation system for both societies based on the investigation
on perception of Bestics and the mealtime environment. We will also investigate
the regulation barriers in order to create prospective services using robotic assistive
devices and the system of society that can provide and ease the use of technical
aids.
4 Preliminary findings
After Japanese and Swedish teams joint meetings in Stockholm, Sweden in March 2017,
we have the following preliminary findings.
User test is very important for the success of this project. We can find the pos-
sible problems of our proposed system as well as user’s needs.
We need to adjust food preparation on a plate in each country owing to their big
differences in eating culture. The Japanese food styles are very different from
that of Sweden.
The related ethical regulations in Japan and Sweden for users’ personal data
should also be clarified in the early stage of the project
4
In October 2017 the Japanese and Swedish team met in Tokyo, Japan and had the
following actions:
• Internal tests of a multi-grip prototype.
• Workshop in a care facility. It was especially good for the Swedish partici-
pants to see a Japanese elderly care facility and to see and try the food that
were served to the care takers.
• Meetings for planning and discussing the ongoing work.
5 Challenges to implement and ease the usage of new
technologies
In Japan is the custom that children take care of their parents when they get old and in
need of help without any other assistances. It is likely that it forces women to bear a
heavy burden. In Sweden we have seen problem with caregivers feeling insecure about
how to use technical aids. They do not only need to know how to use the new aids but
also supporting the user to choose what kind of help he/she wants, even if it is a tech-
nical aid. If the caregivers are negative, it is hard for the users to demand to be able to
use aids. These cultural and social issues are very important elements to implement
robotic assistive devices.
Therefore, in this project, we aim to find a methodology to evaluate assistive devices
in Sweden and Japan with the persons involved in the eco-system related to assistive
devices for frail elderly, e.g. frail users, care givers, relatives, neighbors and manufac-
tures, etc. In the process of implementing a technical aid to weak elderly we have de-
fined the following challenges.
The development of Bestic started during 2003-2004 by Sten Hemmingsson who
developed Bestic for his own use due to polio. During an interview with Sten Hem-
mingsson done by Ann-Louise Lindborg in Stockholm 5th of December 2017. Karin
Hemmingsson, Mr. Hemmingssons whife also attended. The interview was held in Eng-
lish to prevent misunderstandings in translation. After the interview, the answers were
sent to Mr. Hemmingsson for approval. He and Karin added a few rows and we have
used the answers they sent back. The interview was about what challenges he had met
during the development of Bestic and development of the company around it, now
called Camanio Care AB.
“What do you think has been challenging during the development of Bestic?
First of all to find the people with the right fantasy and competence, and to under-
stand that development is an iterative process developing testing, learning from mis-
takes and never lose sight of solving the problem. Many times you ask yourself a
question – is it worthwhile to continue having persons close to you supporting the
process. And then there is the money aspect. I have used the factor 3.14 to multiply
the time and cost first estimated to arrive at the final result. This comes out of my
experience in project management of new ventures.
How do you think that it has been received by the society?
5
This has been a situation that has matured over the years from a rather negative at-
titude from the start to an acceptance. An example of this is that Bestic is funded
by public means for the individual users in Sweden.
How long did it take?
Now we have been working with Bestic for 13 years. We started to work with Bestic
2003-2004 and the first one we sold was 2012. But then we met quite a lot of skep-
ticism. Today the interest is much more positive.
What would you think are the main factors to facilitate aid-robots to merge into
society?
Man machine interface, developing the robot, if you like, in such a way that gives a
natural interface to the individual without sacrificing integrity and independence, the
machine shall newer be allowed to take over from the individual. One should be
careful using the right description of what you are offering – Bestic is in the true
sense not a robot as important functions are controlled by the user. However, robot
technology is used in the development of Bestic.
What would you think is the main role of industry and academy when developing
aid-robots?
Industry because a lot of ideas behind development has been tried and tested, the
academy to give scientific input and understanding of the needs. Both for the indi-
vidual and society at large.
What would you think are the possible consequences while merging aid-robots into
society?
Needs and adaption of programs for caring for people. The work environment will
change for quite a lot of caregivers. Then there is the question of different age
groups. The generation now growing up are used to surround themselves with ad-
vanced technology. There is also the question of culture – what is considered a
good development can very well meet resistance elsewhere.“
Based on the knowledge from our network and the persons in this project, we aim to
find a methodology to evaluate assistive devices in Sweden and Japan with the persons
involved in the eco-system related to assistive devices for frail elderly. In the process
of implementing a technical aid to weak elderly we have defined the following ques-
tions."
1. What do the user think of the assistive device?
2. What do the persons involved in the eco-system related to assistive devices think
of it?
3. How can the community around frail elderly best support them?
4. How do you clarify the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders related to the
decision-making process of purchasing and paying for AT-device?
5. How do we best evaluate the value and efficiency of technology for homecare?
6. What is the costs for different parts of homecare? Can it be reduced with assis-
tive devices?
7. Is care is generally managed from the care givers’ perspective rather than user’s
perspective?
6
8. How do society work with the implementation process of new technology since
it will lead to new work routines?
9. What makes innovations difficult to classify in current product registers for as-
sistive devices?
References
1. http://www.eu-japan.eu/news/bilateral-call-japan-sweden-academia-industry-international-
collaboration [Accessed: June 15th 2017]
2. http://cdnsite.eu-japan.eu/sites/default/files/imce/call-text-sweden-japan.pdf
3. http://www2.vinnova.se/sv/misc/Utlysningar/Effekta/Japan---Sweden-Academia-Industry-
International-Collaboration-Program-on-Innovative-Solutions-Community-Design-and-
Services-for-Elderly-People/ [Accessed: June 18th 2017]
4. Lindborg, A.N., Lindén, M. (2015). Development of an Eating Aid- From the user needs to
a product. 12th International Conference on Wearable Micro and Nano Technologies for
Personalized Health, pp. 191-198.
5. Lindborg, A.N (2005). An eating-aid for persons with little or no ability to move their arms.
Chalmers Master’s Thesis.