Claims
As mentioned in Functions, there are two functions. For each described function, a claim can be formed about the positives as well as the negative effects of implementing each function.
Key terms: Patient with Dementia (PwD)
Walking with Miro
PwD who likes dogs
Positive effects
The PwD will have had some good exercise and mentally feels happier.
Negative effects
The PwD may not want to stop walking the dog and exhaust their bodies beyond its limits. This is unlikely in general, but it can definitely occur.
PwD who dislikes dogs
Positive effects
The PwD will feel elated that they were able to leave their room at all. Most PwDs are not able to walk around the premises independently, so having the autonomy to go on a walk increases their level of happiness.
Negative effects
The PwD will keep walking away from the dog which leads to undesired results, extra care needed from caretakers and the patient may be punished by not being able to go outside until someone (a human person) shows up to take them for a walk. This severely reduces their autonomy and as a result make them feel dissatisfied.
PwD who has fallen on the floor
Positive effects
The PwD will be able to receive medical attention faster as the Miro can function as an alarm and send its (relative) location to the caretaker overseeing the ward.
Negative effects
The PwD and the co-residents of the ward might be unnerved by the Miro's bark and the volume when trying to draw the attention of the caretaker.
PwD who is socially inclined and talkative
Positive effects
PwDs who are socially inclined will experience nostalgia by mimicking the social interactions they used to have. Without the Miro, another person would usually accompany the PwD and attempt to facilitate any conversation between residents of the ward. Even though PwDs may not be able to express why this way feels unnatural, they can definitely feel that something is off and that their autonomy has been reduced because of it. The Miro allows them to experience what it was like having conversations with others without an additional person being there.
Negative effects
PwDs who are socially inclined may be talking more to co-residents than actually walking the Miro. This is not a problem of its own, but may cause issues if the Miro cannot adapt its programmed behavior to accommodate the PwD.
Claim
Given positive and negative effects of walking with the Miro, it is evidently clear that this activity will increase the user's happiness. Even if they dislike the activity (i.e. walking with the Miro) itself, the autonomy and exercise that comes with walking without an extra person overseeing the PwD outweighs the PwD's inclination towards walking with a dog-like robot. With that said, there are some obstacles that need to be overcome to mitigate any unnerving effects that the Miro has on the PwD and other stakeholders.