ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to reveal comprehensible instructions from an assistive robot for older adults, across cognitive levels and characteristics. Participants included 19 older adults with or without cognitive impairment. We administered cognitive tests assessing all major domains (e.g., memory and attention). Participants were required to listen to robot instructions carefully, and perform three activities of daily living (e.g., taking medicine) with three different types of instructions. In instruction pattern 1 (IP1), the robot informed seniors of the task in one sentence, while in instruction patterns 2 and 3 (IP2 and IP3), the steps of each activity were split into two and three sentences, respectively. Participants with lower cognitive level showed lower task performance with IP1, whereas almost all participants completed tasks with IP2 and IP3. Cognitive domains such as working memory significantly affected task performances. Participants with lower attention made mistakes in taking their medicine. The results imply that step-by-step instructions should be used for older people with lower levels of cognitive function, especially working memory, and repeated instructions may be required for lower attention. Types of instruction should be selected depending on cognitive characteristics.

摘要

这项研究的目的是揭示辅助机器人对老年人的可理解指令，涵盖认知水平和特征。参与者包括 19 名有或没有认知障碍的老年人。我们进行了评估所有主要领域（例如记忆力和注意力）的认知测试。参与者需要仔细听取机器人指令，并根据三种不同类型的指令完成日常生活中的三种活动（例如，吃药）。在指令模式 1 (IP1) 中，机器人用一句话告知老年人任务，而在指令模式 2 和 3（IP2 和 IP3）中，每个活动的步骤分别分为两句和三句。认知水平较低的参与者表现出较低的 IP1 任务绩效，而几乎所有参与者都完成了 IP2 和 IP3 的任务。工作记忆等认知领域显着影响任务表现。注意力较低的参与者在服药时犯了错误。结果表明，对于认知功能水平较低的老年人，尤其是工作记忆，应该使用逐步说明，并且可能需要重复说明才能降低注意力。应根据认知特征选择教学类型。并且可能需要重复说明才能降低注意力。应根据认知特征选择教学类型。并且可能需要重复说明才能降低注意力。应根据认知特征选择教学类型。