Health Professionals’ Views on the Use of Social Robots with Vulnerable Users: A Scenario-Based Qualitative Study Using Story Dialogue Method

Abstract

We used the story dialog method (SDM) to gather the viewpoints of health professionals about the use of social robots in the home and healthcare services with vulnerable users. SDM consists of participants bringing stories that they discuss together. The aim of the study was to address universal design and accessibility issues with robots in specific use situations. We used three social robots in four stories: TIAGo, Romibo and robot pets. We used the SDM method in two workshops with eight participants. The participants uncovered issues regarding ethics, responsibility, use of data, infrastructure, design, and user concerns based on provided stories and their own experiences. These issues provide important aspects that researchers and roboticists should consider when using robots with vulnerable users and ensuring that a robot is usable by as many people as possible.