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Recommendations for the Development of a Robotic Drinking and Eating Aid - An Ethnographic Study
(2021)
Being able to live independently and self-determined in one’s own home is a crucial factor or human dignity and preservation of self-worth. For people with severe physical impairments who cannot use their limbs for every day tasks, living in their own home is only possible with assistance from others. The inability to move arms and hands makes it hard to take care of oneself, e.g. drinking and eating independently. In this paper, we investigate how 15 participants with disabilities consume food and drinks. We report on interviews, participatory observations, and analyzed the aids they currently use. Based on our findings, we derive a set of recommendations that supports researchers and practitioners in designing future robotic drinking and eating aids for people with disabilities.
Selbstständig und selbstbestimmt essen und trinken zu können gehört zu den Grundbedürfnissen des Menschen und wird den Aktivitäten des täglichen Lebens (ATLs) zugeordnet. Körperliche Beeinträchtigungen, die mit Funktionsverlusten in Armen, Händen und ggf. der Beweglichkeit des Oberkörpers einhergehen, schränken die selbstständige Nahrungszufuhr erheblich ein. Die Betroffenen sind darauf angewiesen, dass ihnen Getränke und Mahlzeiten zubereitet, bereitgestellt und angereicht werden. Zu dieser Personengruppe gehören Menschen mit querschnittbedingter Tetraplegie, Multiple Sklerose, Muskeldystrophie und Erkrankungen mit ähnlichen Auswirkungen. Derzeit gibt es verschiedene assistive Technologien, die das selbstständige Essen und Trinken wieder ermöglichen sollen.Wie aber muss ein Interaktionsdesign für einen Roboterarm gestaltet sein, damit er von den Betroffenen zur Nahrungsaufnahme genutzt werden kann? Welche Anforderungen gibt es und welche Aspekte sind in Bezug auf die Akzeptanz eines Roboterarms zu berücksichtigen?
This Article introduces two research projects towards assistive robotic arms for people with severe body impairments. Both projects aim to develop new control and interaction designs to promote accessibility and a better performance for people with functional losses in all four extremities, e.g. due to quadriplegic or multiple sclerosis. The project MobILe concentrates on using a robotic arm as drinking aid and controlling it with smart glasses, eye-tracking and augmented reality. A user oriented development process with participatory methods were pursued which brought new knowledge about the life and care situation of the future target group and the requirements a robotic drinking aid needs to meet. As a consequence the new project DoF-Adaptiv follows an even more participatory approach, including the future target group, their family and professional caregivers from the beginning into decision making and development processes within the project. DoF-Adaptiv aims to simplify the control modalities of assistive robotic arms to enhance the usability of the robotic arm for activities of daily living. lo decide on exemplary activities, like eating or open a door, the future target group, their family and professional caregivers are included in the decision making process. Furthermore all relevant stakeholders will be included in the investigation of ethical, legal and social implications as well as the identification of potential risks. This article will show the importance of the participatory design for the development and research process in MobILe and DoF-Adaptiv.
