Inclusion of assistive robots in the daily life of elderly and frail users: step-by-step definition of a procedure on user requirements.

To date there are few studies on the implications of including robots in the daily lives of frail older adults, especially in relation to the particular needs of this population. The project "Multi-function Robotic System for Independent Living" (SRS), has developed a remotely controlled semi-autonomous robotic system that can be used in home environments. The objective of this work is to document the iterative procedure used to identify, select and prioritize user requirements. From focus group meetings and individual interviews, a total of seventy-four requirements were identified.

The list reveals a large number of requirements related to basic and instrumental activities of daily living, cognitive and social support and monitoring, as well as other aspects related to privacy, safety and adaptation issues. Analyzing and understanding the perceptions and needs of older users when interacting with technological devices adds value to assistive technology and ensures that systems address currently unmet needs.