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Participatory design of a robotic mental well-being coach

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Conference Object

Change log

Authors

Bodala, IP 

Abstract

Recent research is emerging in the field of Social Robotics where robots have the potential to serve as tools to improve human well-being. However, research exploring the expectations and perceptions of prospective users of such robots, and the professionals who currently deliver these interventions, is limited. In this paper, we present qualitative analysis of discussions with prospective users and experienced coaches regarding the design of robot well-being coaches. We invited participants interested in well-being practices to take-part in a Participatory Design (PD) study, consisting of individual interviews and a focus group discussion (NP = 8). Discussions focused on ideating how a robot could function as a mental well-being coach, based on their experiences with well-being practices. Data triangulation was employed by interviewing three professional coaches as additional sources of information. This resulted in a rich set of data, which we transcribed and analysed using Thematic Analysis (TA). The developed themes regarding robot features, form, behaviours, robot-led well-being practices, and the advantages and disadvantages these could provide, were compiled and are discussed in detail. We present this data together with tabulated quotes from the participants and coaches, to pave the way towards designing robot coaches that can provide supportive interventions to improve the mental health and well-being of their users.

Description

Keywords

46 Information and Computing Sciences, 4608 Human-Centred Computing, 3 Good Health and Well Being

Journal Title

2021 30th IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2021

Conference Name

2021 30th IEEE International Conference on Robot & Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN)

Journal ISSN

1944-9445

Volume Title

Publisher

IEEE

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/R030782/1)
EPSRC (2505818)