Robots are becoming more present in our daily activities and in particular in the health context. To improve the human-robot interaction in a training session it is important to design and develop social behavior and personality in robots. Recent studies found that personality is an essential feature for creating socially assistive robots. For this purpose, I want to investigate if the robot personality (extrovert or introvert) can improve the user's cognitive performances in elders with Mild Cognitive Impairments during one-o-one cognitive training.
The benefits of SAR in heath context with elderly are investigated in the research by Tanaka et
al.[
In 2019 the HIIS laboratory of CNR-ISTI in conjunction with the Neuroscience Institute of CNR
of Pisa collaborated to investigated how seniors with MCI perceived cognitive training with
a humanoid robot [
Behaviour and personality In literature, diferent personality models are proposed. I
consider the Five-factor model[
with big angles, faster responses Set of animations: animations that convey
diferent emotions Moving speed: 40% faster than introvert movements slower movements Sounds: movement associated with sounds no sounds or melody and melody Autonomous movements: autonomous movements few autonomous movements by psychologists and therapists. Table 1 summarizes the verbal and non-verbal cues used to modulate the robot’s behavior. For the verbal parameters, I identify: modulation in the robot’s intonation between neutral, joyful, and didactic; variation in the pitch and rhythm; changes in the volume and speech rate; diferent set of feedbacks. For the non-verbal cues, I identify: LEDs with diferent colors and intensities(e.g flashing light), customized set of animation that can convey diferent emotions; creation of complex gesture with diferent angles; association of movements with sounds; modulation of the movement’s speed; addition of autonomous movements (e.g. natural movements of the arms). For each interaction with the users, Pepper will provide a diferent combination of verbal and non-verbal cues according to the personality performed.
Scenarios In this paragraph, I describe two scenarios in which I propose a possible use of the robot personality during cognitive training with older adults. Mario is a 75 years old teacher and since he has a diagnosis of MCI, he regularly attends cognitive training in a cognitive center near his house. Recently a one-o-one cognitive training with a humanoid robot was integrated into his program by the clinic. Monday morning, as usual, he prepares and goes to the clinics. The psychologists welcome and take him to the training room. After the introduction phase in which the robot introduces the cooking game and the ingredients of the first level: Extrovert scenario.
1. Pepper says with a joyful intonation and a high-pitched voice "Which is the first ingredient to cook the chicken curry: chicken, curry, salt or yogurt?" highlighting its LEDs with a bright blue and moving both its arms over its head. 2. When Mario answers right to the question, immediately Pepper says "Good job Mario, you are doing a great job!". At the same time, it raises both arms two times and nods its head, the eyes LEDs become bright green and flashing, and it produces a sound that expresses joy. 3. Pepper says "How many grams of flour are needed for the recipe: 10, 150, 200, 400 gr?".
Pepper highlights its LEDs with a bright blue and opens both arms at 40 degrees outwards as to encourage the user. 4. For the first wrong answer, Pepper says with a loud voice and an enthusiastic intonation "You made a mistake, but you can try again!". When Mario answers wrong more than one time Pepper says, " Mario, stay focus! You know the answer, try again!". At the same time, it shakes the head and moves the arms up and down, an "oh" sound is vocally provided, and all the LEDs become bright red and flashing. 5. Before the game end, Pepper combines diferent gestures to simulate a victory animation accompanied by sounds of applause, while all the LEDs are flashing and become green and blue. In the end, Pepper salutes Mario saying "Really good job Mario, it was fun to play with you! Hope to see you again next time!". During the cognitive session, Pepper performs autonomous movements (e.g simulate breathing movements).
Introvert scenario. 1. Pepper says with neutral intonation and a low volume "Which is the first ingredient to cook the chicken curry: chicken, curry, salt or yogurt?". After a few seconds, it slowly undulates the torso twice to the right and left while the shoulders LEDs become light gray. 2. When Mario answers right, Pepper says with a neutral intonation and a slow speech rate "Good". It waits two seconds and slowly it nods its head, while the eye LEDs become light green without flashing. 3. Pepper says "How many grams of flour are needed for the recipe: 10, 150, 200, 400 gr?" It gently opens its right arm to 20 degrees outwards right while the eyes LEDs become a light yellow. 4. When Mario answers wrong, Pepper says "Wrong, try again." It lightly shakes the head one time, while the eyes and shoulders LEDs become light red. 5. In the end, Pepper moves backward and forwards one arm and it salutes Mario saying "Good job Mario, see you next time". During the cognitive session, Pepper performs a restricted set of autonomous movements.
Methods and evaluation I want to insert the adaptation of personality in a robot system
for supporting cognitive training according to the users’ personalities. For the evaluation
study, I define two experimental conditions: an extrovert condition in which the robot
performs an extrovert behavior during the training and an introvert condition in which the robot
performs an introvert personality. Before and after the test, the users will be subjected to
the UES questionnaire [
I would like to thanks my Ph.D. advisors Prof. Fabio Paternò and Dr. Daniele Mazzei for their help, support, and guidance.