Robotic Partner

Our chosen robotic partner is the Miro robot.

We opted for this robot, because its dog-like properties support Patients with Dementia (PwD) to recall a collection of memories about a time where things went slower and were less complicated. It emphasizes on the PwD's need to connect with nature and themselves in peace (Han et al., 2015, p. 120). Although the Miro has a limited range of expression, its limitations also make it more accessible for PwD. PwD tend to perform better with simple social interactions and with items that are similar to what they were used to before the onset. 

Looking into alternatives such as the Pepper and the Nao made us acknowledge that Humanoid robots tend to have facial features and movements which lie in the uncanny valley (Mori et al., 2012). This may cause unexpected modals of interaction with the robot that cannot be accounted for. All in all, in our endeavor to support PwD, we think that the Miro is the most useful robot to achieve this goal.