Researchers from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Relational Agents Group at Northeastern University College of Computer and Information Science aim to develop a technology that can address the needs of isolated older adults.
They created an agent who is a useful social companion and provides social support for older adults. The conversational agent named Karen is always aware when her human partner comes into her presence. She is able to visually find and track her interlocutor. One can communicate with her through a menu of utterance choices on the screen. They can chitchat or play social games of cards.
Karen supports her interlocutors social interactions with others by keeping them updated on their family through social media: “Suzi put some new pictures on her facebook. Let me show them to you” - says Karen. She assesses her relationship with her interlocutors over time and decides when to do something new. For example, during the card game she opens the topic of getting an excercise body. The video presents how always-on animated relational agent provides social support, long-term relationships and wellness coaching for older adults.
