1:05-1:40 

Takanori Shibata - Case Studies of Robot Therapy for Elderly

Abstract. Robot therapy for elderly has been conducted in medical and welfare institutions. Seal robot, Paro was developed for therapy and used to investigate its psychological, physiological and social effects on the elderly. The longitudinal experiment has been conducted since 2003 at the health service facility for the aged. In addition, the neuropsychological influences of interaction with Paro on the patients with dementia were examined in a cranial nerve clinic. There are many elderly institutions which use Paro for therapy not only in Japan, but also in about 20 countries in Europe, the US and so on. I will introduce some interesting cases that Paro had theapeutic effects to elderly.

1:40-2:15

Silvestro Micera - BioRobotics for an Active Longevity

Abstract. The world population is rapidly aging. This trends poses significant challenges to the organisation of health and social care services. The main aim of the lecture is to illustrate and discuss the huge potential of robotics and mechatronics technologies (in combination with advanced biomechanical models) in order to provide means to identify, measure and slow down in elderly people the effects of age-related modifications of the neuro-muscolo-skeletal systems. This will increase substantially the possibility of elderly people to stay longer at home, thus better fulfilling their expectation for an active longevity and alleviating the burden for families and for the health care system. Many different applications of biorobotic systems to achieve the above goal will be illustrated: (i) the use of robotic systems to analyse the age-related modifications of the motor control strategies; (ii) the use of wearable systems to assess motor performance in a unstructured environment (e.g., the house); (iii) the use of technological devices to help elderly people to live autonomously in their domestic environment. The lecture will also outline the scientific bases of the problem, analyze the main robotics and mechatronics techniques that can be exploited to address it, present the solutions that have been explored so far, and discuss the perspectives of research on robotics for the elderly in the near and long term future.

2:15-2:50

Eugenio Guglielmelli - title TBD

Abstract. TBD.

2 :50-3:05

 Break

3:05-3:40

Willam Kearns  - Using Ultra Wideband Radio in the Study of Dementia Wandering: Implications for Gerontechnology

Abstract. Approximately 6M Americans have dementia, and of these almost 4M will wander during the course of the disease.  The outcomes for wanderers range from benign (increased physical exercise) to adverse (becoming lost and perishing).  Almost invariably life is difficult for the caregiver charged with keeping the wanderer safe. A state of near perpetual vigilance must be maintained that is physically, cognitively and emotionally exhausting. Gerontechnologies employed by caregivers to manage wandering include door alarms, pressure pads, PIR monitors, and sophisticated automated tracking systems but to fully understand wandering behavior a means to track and ultimately predict its occurrence is needed.  Ultra Wideband Radio (UWB) tracking gives the precise location of persons in enclosed spaces and provides a potentially elegant solution to gathering much needed information about wandering and for providing Gerontechnological services exactly where and when they are needed.  In this presentation we will discuss the gerontechnology matrix and the potential role UWB can play in meeting the goals of gerontechnology.  Data from an ongoing study using UWB to study wandering will be presented.

Download presentation (PDF file, ~ 3 MB)

3:40-4:15

Abstract. The data shows that the world population is aging, and that specifically in the US, the over 65 population will be at about 20% of the general population by the year 2030. The elderly population is at risk for hypertension, diabetes, stroke and other diseases and conditions. Efforts have been made to develop ideas for interventions that use robotics and mechatronic technology for stroke rehabilitation in the under-supervised community environments.Also, efforts have been made to explore the role of motivation and robot-driven cueing to drive exercise and monitoring in under-supervised environments either clinical areas such as outpatient clinics or community areas such as in the home.There is a natural relationship between issues dealing with rehabilitation and wellness in the community.This talk will review key rehabilitation robotic efforts designed to address under-supervised exercise in the community and explore on how we can leverage robotic/mechatronic knowledge to promote not only community-based rehabilitation but also community wellness.

4 :15-5:00

Panel: Future Directions

Abstract. The panel will be made up of the speakers. The goal is to have a discussion with workshop attendees about the future of robotics and novel technologies in meeting the needs of the elderly.