A conversational virtual human as autonomous assistant for elderly and cognitively impaired users? Social acceptability and design considerations

Abstract

In this paper we explore how a conversational virtual human could be designed to be deployed as a socially acceptable autonomous assistive system for elderly and cognitively impaired users. In particular, we focus on a system's functionality in helping to maintain a well-structured daily life. We present initial findings from two types of studies: (1) Conducting interviews and focus groups considering users' attitudes and design considerations for assistance in maintaining well-structured daily routines and (2) analyzing interaction between the system and its users' while entering data into a calendar application. Analysis has revealed a set of design considerations for developing a socially acceptable system. Microanalytic investigation of one user's concrete interaction with a Wizard-of-Oz version of the system has shown that a cognitively impaired person is able - by himself and only through interacting with the system - to gain insights into the system's possibilities and limits and to mistrust the system's competencies once the system initiates a repair sequence.