Personality-Based Adaptation of Robot Behaviour: Acceptability Results on Individuals with Cognitive Impairments

Abstract We performed a study to evaluate if the acceptance of a social humanoid robot used for monitoring the activities of elderly users with cognitive deficits increased after interacting with the robot. In addition, we evaluated if the robot’s acceptance is improved when the interaction with the robot occurred in different modalities modulated according to each user’s cognitive and personality profile. A group of 7 participants underwent assessment tools for cognitive and personality traits and for the level of acceptability of the robot. They interacted with the robot at their private home for a minimum of two weeks. The interaction with the robot occurred under two different modalities: standard modality where the robot performed tasks by approaching the subject at a fixed pre-defined frequency of interactions, and at fixed pre-defined times; modulated modality where the robot performed tasks by approaching the subject at different frequencies set according to some personality traits and cognitive profile of the user. The results showed no change in the acceptability level of the robot after direct interaction. Still, personality traits such as Neuroticism and Openness influenced the acceptability of the robot in the elderly only before an interaction. At the same time, these personality traits did not seem to influence the acceptability of the new technology after a direct interaction. Different is the case of cognitive profiles and demographic characteristics. Finally, the score on the pleasantness scale was higher when the interaction with the robot was set in modulated modality rather than standard modality. In conclusion, the identification of the personality traits and the cognitive status in the elderly with cognitive deficits seems to be useful to modulate the type and frequency of interaction of the robot with the user to increase the acceptability of the instrument and pleasures in every daily life.