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Content archived on 2024-06-18

HOBBIT - The Mutual Care Robot

Project description


ICT for Ageing and Wellbeing

World players in home care robotics tend to focus on pragmatic single function systems (USA) or humanoid robots (Japan, Korea). HOBBIT zooms in on the interaction between robot and owner/user with a new, more user-centred concept called “Mutual Care". It allows and entices people to "take care" of the robot like a partner, so they can develop real feelings and affections toward it. For people it is easier to accept assistance from a robot when they themselves can also assist the machine. In close cooperation with institutional caregivers, acceptance and usability of the robots will be measured and improved.

Ageing has been prioritised as a key demographic element affecting the population development within the EU member states. Experts and users agree that Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) and Social and Service Robots (SSR) have the potential to become key components in coping with Europe's demographic changes in the coming years. From all past experiences with service robots, it is evident that acceptance, usability and affordability will be the prime factors for any successful introduction of such technology into the homes of older people.
While world players in home care robotics tend to follow a pragmatic approach such as single function systems (USA) or humanoid robots (Japan, Korea), we introduce a new, more user-centred concept called "Mutual Care". The intention is to create a possibility for the Human to "take care" of the robot like a pet. It is easier to accept assistance from a robot when in certain situations the Human can also assist the machine. In turn, older users will more readily accept the help of the HOBBIT robot. Close cooperation with institutional caregivers will enable the consortium to continuously improve acceptance and usability.
In contrast to current approaches, "HOBBIT, the mutual care robot", will offer practical and tangible benefits for the user with a target price tag considerably below present solutions. Through an interface designed specifically for elderly users, HOBBIT will be able to follow a user and guide a user through the home, assist with getting up and offer alert functions, it will be able to learn user-defined objects and be able to retrieve them. Connection to other AAL equipment is foreseen. With this, HOBBIT will offer the benefit to remain longer in the private home environment, which will justify the expenses. We will insure that the concept of HOBBIT seeds a new robotic industry segment for "ageing well" in the European Union.

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Topic(s)

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FP7-ICT-2011-7
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Funding Scheme

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CP - Collaborative project (generic)

Coordinator

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIEN
EU contribution
€ 1 263 610,00
Address
KARLSPLATZ 13
1040 Wien
Austria

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Region
Ostösterreich Wien Wien
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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Participants (6)

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