STRANDS – Spatio-Temporal Representations and Activities For Cognitive Control in Long-Term Scenarios

The aim was to ensure that the robot can find its way in a dynamic, busy environment over long periods of time, i.e. without direct technical support. STRANDS was one of the first projects in which a robot was used outside of scientific laboratories or apartments adapted for scientific test purposes over a longer period of time – so the project was pioneering.
In addition to the necessary technical developments, the acceptance of robots should also be researched at the social science level. With a combination of qualitative and quantitative data (mixed method designs) we evaluated individual tasks of the robot as well as attitudes and impressions towards robots.

Project partners: ACIN Technical University of Vienna, Reihnland University of Applied Sciences Aachen, University of Birmingham, University of Leeds, University of Lincoln, Technical University of Stockholm, G4S Technology & Transport Systems Catapult.

Duration: April 2013 – March 2017
Funds: EU Seventh Framework Program
Project homepage: http://strands.acin.tuwien.ac.at/

HOBBIT – The Mutual Care Robot

The primary task of the robot was to prevent falls, to recognize them and to trigger an emergency alarm in the event of a fall. Thus, the robot should increase the feeling of security of the users and be a technical support, so that seniors can live independently longer at home. In addition, the robot offered a pick-up and delivery service within the living environment, entertainment, contact and telephone options, reminders and games for cognitive training. In terms of a user-centered design, senior citizens were involved right from the start, when the shape and color of the robot was decided in joint workshops and much more. Another aspect of the project was to research the bond between users and robots. In the final test phase of the project, the robot was tested in private households in Vienna, Sweden and Greece by older people.

Project partners: ACIN Vienna University of Technology, AAT Vienna University of Technology, MetraLabs GmbH Germany, Hella Automation GmbH, Lund University

Duration: November 2011 – October 2015
Funds: EU Seventh Framework Program
Project homepage: http://hobbit.acin.tuwien.ac.at/

Playful cognitive training for cyclists

In the study the “BikeRacer” a multitasking computer training was developed and its impact on the performance of older cyclists (65+) was extensively evaluated. A randomized, actively controlled, study was conducted to measure the effect of the 4-week training. Furthermore, it was necessary to clearly determine whether potential training effects on the improvement of multitasking ability or on other ability improvements, e.g. processing speed are traceable.
For this purpose, a test battery with different psychological performance tests was collected before and after the training. In order to check the transfer of the trained multitasking ability into everyday traffic, the participants had to complete a number of tasks on a bicycle course before and after the training. In addition, data was also collected using a questionnaire.

Project partner: Danube University Krems
Duration: February 2015 – January 2016
Project homepage: https://www.bmvit.gv.at/verkehr/strasse/publikationen/sicherheit/vsf/50_spielischestraining.html