Aging, Care, and Co-Design
in Social Robotics
My research on aging and social robots examines how interactive technologies can support older adults through emotionally sensitive, participatory, and ethically grounded design.
I have developed and studied robots that facilitate reminiscence, co-design, and reflection on life purpose (ikigai) to promote well-being among older adults, including those with dementia. This work introduced "research as care," highlighting empathy and reciprocity in long-term collaborations with vulnerable populations.
Through longitudinal co-design studies and evaluations of conversational robots, I identified strategies for managing bittersweet emotions, fostering learning, and supporting meaningful participation. Together, these projects advance the design of socially assistive robots that engage older adults while honoring their emotional and ethical needs.
Papers
Ikigai & Life Purpose 5 papers ▾
Much of this work centers on IRIS, a robot we designed to help older adults reflect on what gives their lives meaning. Through conversational and storytelling interactions, we explore how robots can open up questions of purpose in ways that feel personal rather than clinical.
Reminiscence & Emotional Design 3 papers ▾
Remembering the past is rarely straightforward. These papers look at how robots can support older adults through emotionally layered experiences, and how design decisions around voice, conversation style, and pacing shape whether those interactions feel genuine.
Co-Design & Participatory Methods 3 papers ▾
Older adults are partners in this research, not just study participants. This work examines what ethical, long-term collaboration with vulnerable populations actually looks like in practice, including how we scaffold learning, share decision-making, and remain accountable to the people we work with.
Developer Tools & Research Infrastructure 2 papers ▾
Field studies with robots depend on researchers being able to program and observe them without needing deep robotics expertise. These projects build tools that make that possible, from end-user programming environments to real-time behavior analysis.