Envisioning Telepresence Robots for Long Covid: A Critical Disability Lens

Abstract

Long Covid (LC) is a debilitating, multisystemic disease that has emerged as the largest mass-disabling event in recent history. Due to the episodic disability and stigma associated with the condition, people with LC (PwLC) often experience social isolation. Mobile telemanipulator robots (MTRs) have the potential to support remote social inclusion for PwLC. However, nuanced MTR design is necessary to accommodate PwLC’s fluctuating symptoms and avoid exacerbating them due to the complexities of teleoperation. In this work, we conducted participatory research with eight PwLC to explore how MTRs can be designed to support their needs. Through online, semi-structured interviews, we found that all participants recognized the potential of MTRs to enhance social inclusion across various settings. Our findings highlight the importance of providing PwLC with adaptive, autonomous support during teleoperation to meet their pacing needs and minimize exertion. Many PwLC preferred MTRs with adjustable autonomy, as they would offer greater agency over the robot’s actions in social spaces. Due to concerns about stigma, participants also wanted MTRs to provide flexible control over the visibility of their disability, allowing them to manage how others perceive them according to their preferences and context. Based on these findings, we present key design considerations, grounded in critical disability studies and critical access studies, for designing MTRs that support remote social inclusion for PwLC while safeguarding their well-being. This work serves as a basis for developing accessible MTR systems that promote inclusivity for PwLC and other chronic conditions.