An Animaloid Robot as a Cognitive Stimulator to support Elders with Cognitive Impairments: Preliminary Requirements

We focus on some prelimi~lcny, theoretical and practical, requirements for an agent-based Jystem for cognitive interaction with older people. CVe stress (a) the acceptability of an artiJicia1 agent by elders; (h) a user model, which includes user knowledge, e-epectations, goals; (c) a representation system, (0 an interaction Jysfem, including physical and verbal interaction. We describe in some detail a preliminary stuajv aimed at assessing the acceptabilif)? of interaction of cognitively impaired elders with an artiJicia1 companion by sfuajving their reactive behaviour during a simple experiinental session. First results show that &ective aspects of interaction with an artijicial companion are not affected b-v negative feelings towards technology, but that positive attitudes are required in order to achieve awareness of its usq5ilness for u cognitive interaction. IVe also give some suggestions about method for the development of a working cognitive interaction system. The agent should build its user model including relevm~t knowledge, cepectations, and goals by interactive learning, and operate jointly with a situation awareness engine