"An Emotional Support Animal, Without the Animal": Design Guidelines for a Social Robot to Address Symptoms of Depression

Abstract

Socially assistive robots can be used as therapeutic technologies to address depression symptoms. Through three sets of workshops with individuals living with depression and clinicians, we developed design guidelines for a personalized therapeutic robot for adults living with depression. Building on the design of Therabot, workshop participants discussed various aspects of the robot's design, sensors, behaviors, and a robot connected mobile phone app. Similarities among participants and workshops included a preference for a soft textured exterior and natural colors and sounds. There were also differences - clinicians wanted the robot to be able to call for aid, while participants with depression differed in their degree of comfort in sharing data collected by the robot with clinicians.