An international group of scientists from Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management, and College of Arts and Science are investigating how robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance support and care for senior citizens, especially those with early-stage Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD).
Image Credit: Case Western Reserve University
Imagine a robot that can help humans find their way around the house, provide company, and remind them to take their medication. In the not-too-distant future, seniors may be able to use this kind of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered technology.
The robot they are studying, Ruyi, was created by NaviGait. It uses cutting-edge sensors, AI-powered mobility tracking, and interactive features to help senior citizens at Cleveland's Judson Senior Living. The aim is to find out if the robots can make senior citizens' lives easier.
The three-foot-tall wheeled robot is reminiscent of Rosie the Robot, the trustworthy, obedient, and occasionally sassy maid from the Jetsons cartoon of the 1960s. To provide frequent updates on the residents' comfort and well-being, Ruyi will be linked to human caregivers and home technology, including thermostats and the Internet.
According to Philip Cola, a Professor at the Weatherhead School and the School of Medicine, researchers hope to improve independence while reducing some of the strain on healthcare professionals and caregivers by incorporating AI-driven robotics into senior care.
As cognitive decline progresses, consistent support and companionship become critical. Our goal is to explore how AI and robotics can create sustainable caregiving solutions that empower individuals while improving overall care management. This is not about treating Alzheimer’s disease it is about the management of the healthcare.
Philip Cola, Professor, Weatherhead School of Management
The research will be structured in three phases:
- Acceptability among residents and families: To gauge their opinions regarding robotic technology in elder care, focus groups were conducted with roughly two dozen Judson Senior Living residents, their families, and their caregivers.
- Technical feature validation:s: Assess Ruyi's capacity to safely occupy and navigate the home environment, monitor and engage with residents by its design, and gather accurate data on activities, posture, gait, and spoken language. “We want to see how well the robot learns and improves based on its interactions with residents,” Cola said.
- Staff and management attitudes: Assess how employees and other management stakeholders perceive the usefulness and acceptability of the robotic assistant. Evaluating how the robot supports daily routines and improves quality of life over time may involve prolonged integration through overnight trials. “We want to think of the robots as a companion rather than solely a potential added caregiver,” he said, noting that residents will get to name their own robots.
The team is investigating how AI-powered robotics can help close the gap between elderly people's needs and the resources available for caregiving. According to Co-Principal Investigator Peter Whitehouse, a Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology at the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Medicine, the project contributes to the larger discussion on moral, human-centered AI applications in healthcare.
This is not just about groundbreaking technology it is about designing solutions that truly meet the needs of older adults and their caregivers. By combining insights from medicine, management, and design, we are taking a fresh approach to one of healthcare’s most pressing challenges.
Peter Whitehouse, Co-Principal Investigator and Professor, Psychiatry and Neurology, College of Arts and Sciences, Case Western Reserve University
The National Institutes of Health provided funding for the one-year pilot study, which is being run as part of a larger project at the AI and Technology Collaboratory (AITC) for Aging Research and Johns Hopkins University.
AI-driven robotics being developed at CWRU aim to enhance care for older adults with Alzheimer's
Video Credit: Case Western Reserve University