Before coming home: The value of interaction studies with rehabilitation specialists using low-fidelity, physical prototypes prior to inserting novel assistive technologies into seniors’ homes

This paper provides insights on gathering feedback from clinicians about novel assistive technologies using low-fidelity, physical prototypes to anticipate how patients will interact with such technologies. As designers, engineers, human factor psychologists, and healthcare professionals continue working on integrating assistive technologies in homes and care facilities, it is important to gain a better understanding of what patients will want and need to maintain as much independence as possible. In our study, three hypothetical patients with varying degrees of injuries and comfort with technology were developed with clinicians to gain feedback on the most appropriate level of assistance needed from (in our case) robotic furniture to complete routine tasks within the home. The clinicians were favorable to the concept of robotic furniture and provided insights on how to advance it with respect to user interface and control and the speed and motion of the robot. Our user study of clinicians interacting with low-fidelity prototypes was a quick and effective method to gain meaningful feedback from clinicians who can speak for a wide range of patients during the relatively early stages of prototype development. Based upon findings drawn from this design method, design teams like ours can advance what the prototypes offers.