'Ikigai' Robots

Abstract

As a step towards designing a home robot to support older adults' ikigai (meaning in life), we interviewed the family members who provide care for them. After conducting interviews with ten family caregivers in Japan, we found that older adults' physical health is a major concern to both caregivers and older adults. However, concerns over loneliness were not prioritized by caregivers, though they did perceive older adults' worries around this issue. Additionally, caregivers saw a number of ways a social robot could be designed to address this, as well as its ability to go beyond loneliness in promoting more fulfilling lives among older adults. Finally, we conclude that an ikigai robot may be designed to support both the ikigai of older adults and (indirectly) their family caregivers.