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/