Mr. Mind announced that its paper, "Can social robots reduce the loneliness of older adults?" utilizing its AI care robot, "Chorongi," was published in the Elsevier journal Geriatric Nursing. The journal is considered a top-tier (Q1) journal in the fields of nursing and gerontology.
This paper qualitatively analyzed the interaction patterns formed by elderly people living alone while using social robots at home for extended periods. Based on actual user experiences, the study examined the impact of robot interactions on social and emotional loneliness.
Our analysis revealed that interacting with robots can induce positive experiences in both emotional and social loneliness. Some participants formed relationships with the robots, personifying them as friends or grandchildren. They reported experiencing deeper emotional connection and less loneliness as the two-way conversations continued.
Even when deep conversations are difficult, it has been observed that social isolation is somewhat alleviated by feeling a 'presence that breaks the silence' through automatic greetings or reminder functions.
Research has shown that surrounding support can influence the depth and sustainability of robot use. When family or caregivers provide technical assistance, utilization increases, and there have even been cases where robot use led to increased conversations with family and caregivers.
The researchers emphasized the importance of managing excessive expectations during initial adoption. They explained that accurate and restrained guidance can reduce user disappointment and promote long-term use.
Mr. Mind CEO Kim Dong-won said, “The AI care robot ‘Chorongi’ has been recognized for its academic value and can now contribute to solving the problem of isolation in the elderly,” and added, “I hope that this research will expand the social value of the technology and serve as the basis for future care policies for an aging society.”
- See more related articles
You must be logged in to post a comment.