Investigating Design Implications Towards a Social Robot as a Memory Trainer

Most currently existing tools for cognitive memory therapy require physical interaction or at least the presence of another person. The goal of this paper is to investigate whether a social robot might be an acceptable solution for a more inclusive therapy for people with memory disorder and severe physical limitations. Applying a user-centered design approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with five healthcare professionals; four medical doctors and a psychologist, in three iterations followed by a focus group activity. An analysis of the collected data suggests several implications for design with an emphasis on embodiment, social skills, interaction, and memory training exercises.