ICF: Socially Assistive Walker To Promote The Health And Well-being In Older Adults
Lead Research Organisation:
University of the West of England
Department Name: Faculty of Environment and Technology
Abstract
This proposal is based on robust evidence around the need for physical and social care during ageing. Assistance and monitoring are required to secure better health and wellbeing for individuals as they age. As isolation and reduced access to health services are critical issues for older adults, we need to develop a robotic assistive tool that will push the boundaries of existing physical assistive devices by integrating the functionalities of a social agent to address isolation, loneliness, and diminished independence. This project will develop a multimodal robotic platform to assist and monitor people with neurodegenerative conditions associated with typical and atypical ageing and the potential development of mental health conditions.
Mobility and balance are commonly compromised in older adults, with the costs associated with falls estimated at £2.3 billion/year. Despite efforts to develop assistive robots to support older adults during the last 20 years, such as exoskeletons, smart walkers, and social robots, they are far from actual user adoption due to lack of wearability, robustness, and cost issues. This project will embed affordable and tangible robotic technology on the walker frames already adopted by mid-fragile older adults to generate a novel co-designed robot with physical and social interaction capabilities interconnected with carers and families to present a promising solution to empower our healthcare system.
With ten years of research in gait assistance and rehabilitation and human-robot interaction, the PI and his multidisciplinary team are ideally placed to explore this research opportunity. The group, composed of biorobotics and healthcare experts along with the NHS and ageing private organisations, will work for 24 months to address the needs of older adults with the help of healthcare technology.
SAW-Health includes (1) Activities of Daily Living (ADL) assistance and autonomy: The robot provides path planning, navigation, localisation, and guidance in multiple scenarios to enable autonomy and independence. (2) Gait assistance and physical activity monitoring: To assist patients with motor disabilities and induce physical activity. A wearable sensor architecture will gather biomechanical and physiological information from the user to estimate gait quality and the overall user's health state. (3) Social interaction: The robot will integrate the functionalities of a social agent to provide companionship to the users with cutting-edge technology. The final goal is to compare the usability of the implemented robotic system with a traditional walker in healthy older adults in care homes and independent houses.
Mobility and balance are commonly compromised in older adults, with the costs associated with falls estimated at £2.3 billion/year. Despite efforts to develop assistive robots to support older adults during the last 20 years, such as exoskeletons, smart walkers, and social robots, they are far from actual user adoption due to lack of wearability, robustness, and cost issues. This project will embed affordable and tangible robotic technology on the walker frames already adopted by mid-fragile older adults to generate a novel co-designed robot with physical and social interaction capabilities interconnected with carers and families to present a promising solution to empower our healthcare system.
With ten years of research in gait assistance and rehabilitation and human-robot interaction, the PI and his multidisciplinary team are ideally placed to explore this research opportunity. The group, composed of biorobotics and healthcare experts along with the NHS and ageing private organisations, will work for 24 months to address the needs of older adults with the help of healthcare technology.
SAW-Health includes (1) Activities of Daily Living (ADL) assistance and autonomy: The robot provides path planning, navigation, localisation, and guidance in multiple scenarios to enable autonomy and independence. (2) Gait assistance and physical activity monitoring: To assist patients with motor disabilities and induce physical activity. A wearable sensor architecture will gather biomechanical and physiological information from the user to estimate gait quality and the overall user's health state. (3) Social interaction: The robot will integrate the functionalities of a social agent to provide companionship to the users with cutting-edge technology. The final goal is to compare the usability of the implemented robotic system with a traditional walker in healthy older adults in care homes and independent houses.
Technical Summary
This proposal is grounded in compelling evidence of ageing individuals' physical and social care needs. As neurodegenerative conditions associated with typical and atypical ageing pose significant challenges, assistance and monitoring are critical to promoting health and wellbeing in older people. With isolation and limited access to healthcare services being prevalent issues among older adults, this project aims to develop a multimodal robotic platform that embeds affordable technology onto the frames of walkers that mid-fragile older adults commonly use.
The novel co-designed robot will be interconnected with carers and families, promising to empower healthcare systems. The team, comprising bio-robotics and healthcare experts, as well as the NHS and ageing private organisations, will work to address the needs of older people by applying cutting-edge technologies. A multisource semantic processing pipeline will gather data from the user and the environment to apply techniques involving machine learning, natural language processing, kinematic control loops, a navigation stack, and a computer vision engine. This will be deployed in a central server workstation that handles rapid and safe communication protocols.
SAW-Health includes several core components to meet the specific needs of ageing individuals. Firstly, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) assistance and autonomy, enabled by human-robot-environment interaction strategies in multiple scenarios, will promote independence and autonomy. Secondly, gait assistance and physical activity monitoring will assist patients with motor disabilities and encourage physical activity through a wearable sensor architecture that gathers biomechanical and physiological information to estimate gait quality and overall user health. Finally, social interaction will be integrated into the robot's functionalities to provide companionship to users, using cutting-edge social interaction theories.
The novel co-designed robot will be interconnected with carers and families, promising to empower healthcare systems. The team, comprising bio-robotics and healthcare experts, as well as the NHS and ageing private organisations, will work to address the needs of older people by applying cutting-edge technologies. A multisource semantic processing pipeline will gather data from the user and the environment to apply techniques involving machine learning, natural language processing, kinematic control loops, a navigation stack, and a computer vision engine. This will be deployed in a central server workstation that handles rapid and safe communication protocols.
SAW-Health includes several core components to meet the specific needs of ageing individuals. Firstly, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) assistance and autonomy, enabled by human-robot-environment interaction strategies in multiple scenarios, will promote independence and autonomy. Secondly, gait assistance and physical activity monitoring will assist patients with motor disabilities and encourage physical activity through a wearable sensor architecture that gathers biomechanical and physiological information to estimate gait quality and overall user health. Finally, social interaction will be integrated into the robot's functionalities to provide companionship to users, using cutting-edge social interaction theories.
Organisations
- University of the West of England (Lead Research Organisation)
- Federal University of Espírito Santo (Collaboration)
- St Monica Trust (Collaboration)
- Dorothy House Hospice Care (Collaboration)
- University of Bologna (Collaboration)
- Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (Collaboration)
- Aalborg University Hospital (Collaboration)
- Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (Collaboration)
- Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (Collaboration)
- Milbotix (Project Partner)
- ExtraCare Charitable Trust (Project Partner)
- Age UK Gloucestershire (Project Partner)
- Southmead Health Services NHS Trust (Project Partner)
Publications
Aruona VA
(2025)
Reimagining Assistive Walkers: An Exploration of Challenges and Preferences in Older Adults.
in IEEE ... International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics : [proceedings]
Cifuentes Carlos A.
(2025)
Co-Designing with Care: SmartSocks® Acceptability and Usability Through the Eyes of Users
Gaitán-Padilla M
(2024)
Development of a Polymeric Optical Fiber Sensor for Stress Estimation: A Comparative Analysis Between Physiological Sensors
in IEEE Sensors Journal
Sierra M SD
(2024)
Socially assistive walker for daily living assistance in older adults.
in Frontiers in robotics and AI
Sierra M. Sergio D.
(2025)
Skeleton-Based Posture Classification to Promote Safer Walker-Assisted Gait in Older Adults
Sierra M. Sergio D., Cifuentes Carlos A.
(2025)
Integrating Socially Assistive Robotics to Support Wellbeing in People Living with Dementia
| Description | Application of people-centred design methods to understand healthcare user needs for a sock-based wearable device (SmartSocks) supporting the recognition and management of distress in people living with dementia |
| Amount | £78,851 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 10131668 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2024 |
| End | 04/2025 |
| Description | The VIVO Hub for Enhanced Independent Living, Research and partnership hubs for health technologies |
| Amount | £13,400,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2024 |
| End | 11/2030 |
| Title | A Multimodal IMU-Based Dataset for Fall Detection Research |
| Description | This dataset uses multimodal sensors such as inertial measurement units (IMUs) to better understand human movement and detect fall risks in real time during walker assisted gait and normal gait. Falls were simulated using a body weight support system and multiple activities were performed such as walking, sit to stand, fast walking, picking objects from the ground, static falls and walking falls. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2026 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The development of this dataset has contributed to advancing research on fall detection and human activity recognition by providing a structured, high-resolution multimodal motion dataset collected using full-body inertial sensors. By making this dataset available to the research community, it supports the development, validation, and benchmarking of machine learning algorithms for fall detection, particularly those intended for real-time implementation in wearable or assistive technologies. The dataset also facilitates reproducibility and comparison across studies, addressing a common limitation in the field. Ultimately, this resource helps accelerate the development of technologies aimed at improving the safety, independence, and quality of life of older adults by enabling more reliable fall detection systems. |
| URL | https://researchdata.uwe.ac.uk/id/eprint/790 |
| Title | Characteristics of a Socially Assistive Robot for Older Adults: Inputs from Healthcare Staff and Users |
| Description | This dataset offers insights into the perspectives on Socially Assistive Robots (SARs) among 25 older adults and 15 clinicians/carers. Part A provides demographic information, daily activity profiles, and technology proficiency assessments using the Technology Experience Profile and Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire. Part B includes attitudinal assessments via adapted scales like the Negative Attitudes towards Robots Scale (NARS) and Technology-Specific Expectation Scale (TSES), along with custom queries, to address research objectives regarding SARs' acceptance and expectations among participants. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This dataset provides valuable insights into the acceptance, expectations, and concerns regarding Socially Assistive Robots (SARs) among older adults and healthcare professionals. By integrating demographic profiles, daily activity patterns, and technology proficiency assessments, it offers an understanding of user readiness for SAR adoption. Additionally, attitudinal evaluations using validated scales, such as NARS and TSES, allow for a quantitative assessment of biases, concerns, and expectations surrounding SARs. These findings contribute to evidence-based development of assistive robotics, ensuring that future SAR designs align with user needs and foster greater acceptance in real-world care settings. |
| URL | https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Characteristics_of_a_Socially_Assistive_Robot_for_Older_Adults... |
| Title | Data for: Co-Creating a Socially Assistive Walker: Collaborating with Older Adults and Carers |
| Description | Anonymised data and surveys can be accessed through the Figshare repository. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The dataset provides open access to empirical data collected during the co-creation and evaluation of a socially assistive walker designed to support older adults in activities of daily living. By sharing these materials publicly, the dataset enables other researchers to better understand the design requirements, usability considerations, and interaction preferences associated with assistive robotic mobility aids. The data supports reproducibility and secondary analysis in areas such as human-robot interaction, participatory design, and assistive robotics for ageing populations. Insights derived from the dataset contribute to improving the design of assistive technologies that combine mobility support with cognitive and social assistance, helping to inform future research and development aimed at enhancing autonomy, safety, and quality of life for older adults and their caregivers |
| URL | https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Data_for_Co-Creating_a_Socially_Assistive_Walker_Collaborating... |
| Title | Survey Data: Multi-Stakeholder Perception of Socially Assistive Robots as Support for Reminiscence Therapy in Dementia |
| Description | This dataset includes the perceptions of SARs among three key stakeholder groups: healthcare professionals, family members of older adults with dementia, and older adults, highlighting their perceived benefits and advantages, concerns and worries, and desirable features and functionalities of robot-assisted reminiscence activities. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This dataset provides structured insights into the perceptions of socially assistive robots (SARs) among three key stakeholder groups: healthcare professionals, family members of older adults with dementia, and older adults themselves. By documenting perceived benefits, concerns, and desired features related to robot-assisted reminiscence activities, the dataset helps inform the user-centred design of socially assistive technologies for dementia care. The availability of this dataset supports further research on human-robot interaction, co-design methodologies, and technology acceptance in care contexts. It also contributes to the development of more acceptable and effective robotic interventions aimed at supporting emotional well-being, social engagement, and quality of life for people living with dementia and their caregivers. |
| URL | https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Survey_Data_Multi-Stakeholder_Perception_of_Socially_Assistive... |
| Description | Collaboration with Horton House Residential Care Home |
| Organisation | Aalborg University Hospital |
| Department | Research House |
| Country | Denmark |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | Our research team collaborated with Horton House Residential Care Home through a series of co-design workshops involving both residents and caregivers. These workshops facilitated a user-centered approach to understanding the specific needs and challenges faced by older adults in assisted living environments. By engaging directly with the residents and caregivers, we gathered insights that informed the development and refinement of assistive technologies aimed at enhancing mobility, safety, and overall well-being. This participatory process ensured that the solutions we designed were practical, meaningful, and aligned with the real-world experiences of those who would benefit from them. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Horton House Residential Care Home played a crucial role in this collaboration by actively engaging their residents and caregivers in the co-design process. They provided valuable insights into the daily challenges faced by older adults in assisted living settings, helping to shape the design and functionality of assistive technologies. Their staff facilitated workshop sessions, ensuring that residents could comfortably participate and share their experiences. Additionally, their willingness to collaborate fostered a supportive environment for user-centered innovation, ensuring that the solutions developed were practical, relevant, and tailored to the real needs of older adults and their caregivers. |
| Impact | Conducted interactive sessions with residents and caregivers to identify needs and challenges in mobility, safety, and well-being. Gathered qualitative insights that informed the development of assistive technology solutions. Iterative design improvements based on direct user feedback from co-design sessions. Enhanced usability and accessibility of the assistive technologies tested. Strengthened understanding of assistive technology adoption in residential care settings. Fostered collaboration between researchers, care home staff, and residents to bridge the gap between research and real-world application. This partnership was multi-disciplinary, involving expertise from various fields: Gerontology and Healthcare, Human-Centered Design, Engineering & Assistive Robotics, Cognitive. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Collaboration with Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal |
| Organisation | Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | We are assisting this institution in understanding the potential use of robotics in the care of older adults. |
| Collaborator Contribution | We are receiving support for geriatrics research. The support team has experience in implementing technology and assessing its usefulness in care scenarios. They provide significant advice for applying user-centered design in the project. |
| Impact | We collaborated to develop a study aimed at understanding the perception of using social robotics for care applications. We are preparing a publication with this goal. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Collaboration with Somerset Neurological Rehabilitation Centre (Somerset NHS Foundation Trust) on Wearable Technologies and Assistive Robotics for Neurorehabilitation |
| Organisation | Somerset NHS Foundation Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Researchers from the team at Bristol Robotics Laboratory presented and demonstrated wearable sensing technologies and assistive robotics systems designed to support rehabilitation and patient monitoring. The research team contributed expertise in: Development of wearable sensing technologies for monitoring physiological and movement-related signals. Assistive robotics and intelligent systems designed to support mobility and rehabilitation. Human-robot interaction and digital health technologies aimed at improving patient support and clinical decision-making. Demonstrations and discussions exploring how these technologies could be integrated into neurological rehabilitation workflows, including both inpatient and outpatient pathways. The team also engaged in knowledge exchange with clinicians to explore potential applications, clinical needs, and future research directions for assistive technologies in rehabilitation settings. |
| Collaborator Contribution | linicians and staff at the Somerset Neurological Rehabilitation Centre (SNRC) provided clinical insights into the needs of patients undergoing neurological rehabilitation and the operational requirements of rehabilitation services. Their contributions included: Sharing expertise on clinical workflows and patient rehabilitation pathways in neurological care. Providing clinical perspectives on the potential use of wearable technologies and assistive robotics in rehabilitation and patient monitoring. Identifying potential areas where digital health technologies could support patient assessment, therapy, and long-term monitoring. Facilitating discussions on how such technologies could be integrated into real-world healthcare environments, supporting future translational research and clinical collaborations. |
| Impact | This collaboration has supported knowledge exchange between robotics researchers and clinical practitioners in neurological rehabilitation. The interaction has helped identify opportunities for integrating wearable sensing technologies and assistive robotics into rehabilitation pathways. Outcomes include: Identification of clinical use cases for wearable sensing technologies and robotic assistance in neurorehabilitation. Strengthened relationships between academic researchers and NHS clinical teams. Exploration of opportunities for future translational research projects, clinical trials, or pilot studies involving wearable technologies and assistive robotics in rehabilitation settings. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary, involving expertise from Robotics and Human-Robot Interaction, Biomedical Engineering, Wearable Sensor Technology, Digital Health and AI, Neurological Rehabilitation and Clinical Practice |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | Collaboration with St Monica Trust |
| Organisation | ST Monica Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Our research team collaborated with St Monica Trust by conducting a demonstration visit where we showcased the technologies developed as part of our project to both their staff and residents. This visit provided an opportunity to introduce the assistive technologies, explain their functionalities, and gather initial feedback from potential users. Engaging directly with staff and residents allowed us to assess the practicality and usability of our solutions in real-world care home settings. Additionally, the visit facilitated knowledge exchange, helping to bridge the gap between research and its application in residential care environments. |
| Collaborator Contribution | St Monica Trust contributed to this collaboration by providing valuable feedback on the technologies demonstrated during our visit. Their staff and residents shared insights on usability, practicality, and potential areas for improvement, helping to refine our assistive solutions. Additionally, they offered spaces for validation, allowing us to assess the real-world applicability of our technologies in a residential care setting. Their willingness to engage in this process played a key role in ensuring that our innovations align with the needs and expectations of older adults and caregivers. |
| Impact | Technology Demonstration and Feedback Validation Opportunities Knowledge Exchange This collaboration was multi-disciplinary, involving: Gerontology and Healthcare, Human-Centered Design, Engineering and Assistive Robotics. |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | Collaboration with Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS |
| Organisation | Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The research team has established a collaborative partnership with Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust to explore the clinical integration and validation of the Socially Assistive Walker (SAW) system within inpatient and community mental health settings. The team's contributions to this collaboration include the presentation and demonstration of the SAW prototype to clinical stakeholders, joint discussions to identify suitable patient cohorts and care pathways, and the co-development of a draft protocol for ward-based implementation. This protocol outlines how the SAW system could be safely introduced into routine practice, including considerations related to patient selection, risk assessment, staff training, data capture, and monitoring of mobility and functional outcomes. In addition, the research team has provided technical expertise to assess feasibility within the ward environment, including data reporting capabilities to generate structured mobility reports and support clinical decision-making and rehabilitation planning. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has contributed essential clinical expertise and service-level insight to the collaboration. Clinical leads and ward staff have provided detailed input on patient pathways, safety requirements, risk management procedures, and practical considerations for integrating the SAW system into routine care. The Trust has supported the identification of appropriate clinical settings and patient groups for potential implementation, advising on suitability criteria and operational constraints within inpatient environments. Partners have also contributed to the co-development of the draft ward protocol, ensuring alignment with existing governance frameworks, safeguarding policies, and clinical documentation standards. In addition, the Trust has offered insight into data requirements and outcome measures relevant to rehabilitation and mobility monitoring, helping to shape how system-generated reports could meaningfully inform clinical decision-making and service evaluation. |
| Impact | The co-development of a draft clinical protocol outlining the proposed integration of the SAW system within an NHS ward environment. Definition of preliminary outcome measures related to mobility monitoring, functional performance, and patient safety. Identification of suitable patient cohorts and care pathways for future evaluation. Preparation of funding applications to support clinical validation and translational development of the system The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving: Robotics and autonomous systems engineering, Human-robot interaction, Gerontology and ageing research, Mental health and psychiatry, Clinical rehabilitation, Nursing and ward-based care practice |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | Collaboration with Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo |
| Organisation | Federal University of Espírito Santo |
| Country | Brazil |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We conducted comparative analyses with existing physiological monitoring technologies, including Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG)-based sensors and commercial electrocardiogram (ECG) devices, to evaluate their potential integration into assistive devices for older adults. This approach aimed to enhance real-time stress monitoring and well-being assessment, ensuring that wearable solutions remain effective, comfortable, and practical for everyday use in ageing populations. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators, including María Gaitán-Padilla, Maria José Pontes, Marcelo Eduardo Vieira Segatto, and Camilo A. R. Diaz, provided expertise in physiological sensing, optical fiber technology, and biomedical signal processing. They contributed to sensor fabrication, experimental design, and data collection using the Trial Social Stress Test (TSST) method for stress induction. Additionally, their work in reducing the optical interrogation system size helped enhance the feasibility of the POF sensor for wearable stress monitoring applications. This collaboration ensured a multidisciplinary approach, integrating knowledge from biomedical engineering, AI-based classification, and physiological monitoring to develop an innovative, low-cost solution for stress detection. |
| Impact | Journal Article at IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL: Development of a Polymeric Optical Fiber Sensor for Stress Estimation: A Comparative Analysis between Physiological Sensors 10.1109/JSEN.2024.3435399 |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Collaboration with University of Bologna |
| Organisation | University of Bologna |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Our research team collaborated with the University of Bologna by supervising and mentoring two interns from their Electrical Engineering Department, focusing on fall detection and navigation assistance for walkers. We provided technical guidance, research direction, and access to datasets and experimental setups, enabling the interns to develop and test algorithms in real-world scenarios. Additionally, we facilitated knowledge exchange on AI-driven mobility solutions, ensuring their work aligned with the broader goals of assistive robotics for older adults. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Professors Luca Palmerini and Silvia Orlandi, along with their team from the University of Bologna, contributed by providing interns in biomedical engineering and signal processing. They supported the interns with theoretical foundations and technical expertise, ensuring they had the necessary skills to contribute effectively. Their collaboration helped bridge the gap between academic research and implementation, enhancing the development of advanced fall detection and navigation assistance technologies for smart walkers. |
| Impact | Two Scientific Publications were presented in: ICNR 2024 (International Conference on Neurorehabilitation): A Multimodal Feedback Interface for Assisted Navigation with a Smart Walker BIOROB 2024 (IEEE International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics): Towards Safer Mobility: Developing and Evaluating a Fall Detection System for a Smart Walker This collaboration was multi-disciplinary, involving: Electrical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Healthcare and Rehabilitation |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Dorothy House Hospice Care |
| Organisation | Dorothy House Hospice Care |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | We are assisting this organization in exploring how new technologies can support older adults and staff. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Dorothy House Hospice Care offers staff the opportunity to discuss and provide guidance on project activities. Additionally, we have access to users and staff to conduct surveys and ask project-related questions. |
| Impact | We conducted a study at Dorothy House Hospice Care to understand older adults' perceptions of the potential use of social robots for care and support and a better understanding of their needs and preferences. To enhance our exploration, we involved older adults, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. We also sought insights from healthcare professionals and caregivers, acknowledging their valuable perspectives. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | 1st Workshop in Empowering Ageing Care with Robotic Solutions |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The 1st Workshop in Empowering Ageing Care with Robotic Solutions for Enhanced Wellbeing took place on June 28, 2024, at the Bristol Business School, UWE Bristol. This event brought together experts from human-robot interaction, social robotics, geriatrics, paramedic science, and rehabilitation medicine to discuss innovative robotic solutions aimed at improving autonomy, independence, and quality of life for older adults. The workshop included demonstrations, poster presentations, and keynote talk. More than 50 participants attended the workshop. The workshop featured keynote speakers from international institutions and included discussions on socially assistive robotics, ethical considerations, emergency care, and co-design processes. A key outcome was the knowledge exchange among researchers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders, fostering new collaborations and ideas for the development and integration of robotic solutions in ageing care. The workshop also included demonstrations and poster presentations. More than 50 participants attended the workshop. Post with speakers: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/carlosacifuentes_ageingcare-robotics-wearables-activity-7222288613235949568-J8Dk?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACB7oWkB_BvjmgxE_NFJemVdwuQWTP1jkUg |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/posts/carlosacifuentes_we-are-excited-to-invite-you-to-the-1st-workshop-act... |
| Description | 2nd Workshop in Enabling Independece with Robotic Solutions for Enhanced Wellbeing |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The second workshop, "Enabling Independence with Robotic Solutions for Enhanced Wellbeing" (3 October 2025), brought together approximately 55 participants from academia, healthcare, and the public. The event explored human-robot interaction in the context of ageing, social behaviour, and mental health, with the intended purpose of disseminating findings from the SAW-Health project and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue on the ethical and practical integration of robotics in care settings. Invited speakers included Dr Gary Christopher (Gerontology, Swansea University and Dementia Health Integration Team, Bristol Health Partners, UK), Professor Christine Hine (Sociology, University of Surrey, UK), and Professor Ramin Nilforooshan (Psychiatry, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, UK). Their contributions provided clinical, sociological, and gerontological perspectives that enriched discussion around autonomy, dignity, and psychological wellbeing in later life. The session included interactive demonstrations of the developed robotic solutions and structured discussions. Outcomes included strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration, clearer translational and clinical validation priorities, and progression towards new funding applications. The workshop also contributed to advancing collaboration with an NHS ward to explore structured implementation of the SAW system within routine clinical practice. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/posts/carlosacifuentes_sawhealth-sawhealth-sawhealth-activity-7347942515062... |
| Description | BioRob 2024 Workshop - Revolutionising Ageing: The Role of Robotics and Wearable Tech for Older Adults, 1st September 2024, Heidelberg, Germany |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | We presented "Posture Classification and Feedback for Walker-Assisted Gait" at a BIROBOB workshop, aiming to showcase advancements in assistive robotics and AI-driven posture analysis for mobility support in older adults. The presentation covered machine learning-based posture classification, real-time feedback mechanisms, and their implications for fall prevention and rehabilitation. The session engaged researchers, clinicians, and assistive technology developers, leading to active discussions on integration into care settings. Attendees provided valuable feedback on potential clinical applications, and some expressed interest in future collaborations for testing and validation. This presentation contributed to raising awareness of AI-driven mobility solutions and fostering multidisciplinary dialogue on enhancing walker-assisted gait support. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://sites.google.com/view/revolutionizing-aging-biorob24 |
| Description | BioRob 2024 Workshop - Revolutionising Ageing: The Role of Robotics and Wearable Tech for Older Adults, 1st September 2024, Heidelberg, Germany (2nd presentation) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | We presented "SmartSocks Fusion: Multimodal Fall Classification in Adults" at a BIOROB workshop, focusing on the integration of sensor-based technology and AI for detecting and classifying falls in adults. The presentation highlighted the multimodal data fusion approach, combining pressure sensors, inertial measurements, and machine learning algorithms to enhance fall detection accuracy. The session attracted researchers, clinicians, and assistive technology developers, leading to discussions on real-world implementation and clinical validation. Attendees provided insights on potential applications in healthcare and rehabilitation, and some expressed interest in collaborative research and pilot studies. This activity contributed to raising awareness of wearable AI-driven fall detection solutions and fostering interdisciplinary engagement in assistive technology research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://sites.google.com/view/revolutionizing-aging-biorob24 |
| Description | Co-Creation Session at Age UK Gloucestershire |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | On October 17th, we conducted a focus group in Gloucester to gather insights from older adults, caregivers, and healthcare professionals on the design of a Socially Assistive Walker. The purpose of this session was to explore how a walker could not only provide physical support but also enhance social connections and overall well-being. Participants engaged in discussions with researchers from the University of the West of England, sharing their experiences, needs, and preferences. The session generated valuable user-driven insights, which are now being incorporated into the walker's design to ensure it aligns with real-world needs. The event also sparked interest among attendees in assistive technology and fostered engagement between researchers and potential end-users. The feedback collected will directly inform the next stages of prototyping and testing, improving the walker's usability and effectiveness. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Co-Creation Session at ExtraCare |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | On June 21st, 2024, we held a co-creation session at ExtraCare in Bristol, bringing together older adults, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to contribute to the development of a Socially Assistive Walker. The purpose of this session was to gather user insights and collaboratively shape the design of a mobility aid that enhances both physical support and social engagement. Participants discussed their experiences, needs, and expectations with the research team, providing valuable feedback on design features, usability, and potential benefits. This session helped refine key aspects of the walker's functionality, ensuring it aligns with real-world user needs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Co-Creation Session with Minority Groups |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | On Nov 5th, we conducted a co-creation session at 58th Scout Hall, Gadshill Road, BS5 6LJ, in collaboration with the Pakistani Women Organisation, Bristol, to engage minority groups in the development of a Socially Assistive Walker. The goal was to ensure that the walker design reflects the diverse needs, preferences, and cultural considerations of different communities. Participants, including older adults and caregivers from minority backgrounds, shared their experiences, challenges, and expectations regarding mobility support and social interaction. Their feedback provided unique perspectives on accessibility, usability, and potential cultural adaptations for assistive technologies. This session broadened the inclusivity of the project, ensuring that the walker's design accommodates the needs of a diverse ageing population. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Demonstration and Dissemination of the Socially Assistive Walker for Dementia and Ageing Care through Public Outreach and Media |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Researchers from the Bristol Robotics Laboratory participated in the UKRI "Future Makers" video series, which showcases innovative research funded by UK Research and Innovation. The episode featured the development of SmartSocks, a wearable sensing technology designed to detect physiological signals such as sweat, pulse, and movement patterns that may indicate distress in people living with dementia. The purpose of the activity was to communicate ongoing research on wearable health technologies and assistive systems to a wider public audience, highlighting how engineering and robotics research can contribute to improved dementia care and support for ageing populations. The video included demonstrations of the technology at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory and discussions with researchers about how the system works and its potential applications in real-world care settings. The video has reached several thousand viewers online and has helped raise awareness of digital health innovations for dementia care among the general public, caregivers, and healthcare stakeholders. It has also contributed to increasing visibility of the research programme and stimulated discussions about the role of wearable technologies and robotics in supporting older adults and improving quality of care. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jryye0I7sDA |
| Description | Demonstration of Socially Assistive Walker at "Let's Talk Dementia" Event (Bristol) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | Researchers from the Bristol Robotics Laboratory participated in the "Let's Talk Dementia" event in Bristol, organised by BRACE - Dementia Research, which brought together people living with dementia, carers, researchers, and members of the local community to discuss current research and lived experiences related to dementia. During the event, the research team presented their work on the Socially Assistive Walker (SAW) developed as part of the MRC-funded SAW-Health project, which aims to support healthy ageing by integrating assistive robotics, wearable sensing, and socially interactive technologies. The event provided a valuable opportunity to communicate research outcomes beyond the academic community and to engage directly with people affected by dementia. Attendees shared personal experiences and perspectives on mobility challenges, independence, and care needs. These discussions provided meaningful insights that help inform the development and refinement of socially assistive robotic technologies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sarajchi_lettalkdementia-bristol-sociallyassistivewalker-ugcPost-7331... |
| Description | Demonstration of Socially Assistive Walker at DEMFEST during Dementia Action Week |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | The Bristol Robotics Laboratory team participated in DEMFEST, a public engagement event held during Dementia Action Week, organised by NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West (ARC West). The event brought together people living with dementia, family members, caregivers, researchers, and organisations involved in dementia care. During the event, the research team presented and demonstrated the Socially Assistive Walker (SAW) developed as part of the MRC-funded SAW-Health project. Attendees had the opportunity to interact with the technology, discuss its potential applications in dementia care, and provide feedback on the design and functionality of the system. The activity aimed to increase awareness of assistive robotics for ageing and dementia care while also gathering insights from people with lived experience. Engaging directly with older adults, carers, and professionals allowed the research team to collect valuable feedback regarding usability, interaction design, and potential real-world applications of the technology. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sarajchi_demfest-dementiaactionweek-dementia-ugcPost-7335623023472914... |
| Description | Focus Group in Collaboration with Caafi Health |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | On March 5, 2025, we conducted a focus group at the Beehive Centre, Bristol, exploring attitudes toward Socially Assistive Robots (SARs) for people with memory problems. The session engaged 5 pairs of people (MCI patients, and their family carers), aiming to gather insights on acceptance, usability, and potential applications of robotic assistance in daily life. Participants engaged in guided discussions, film-based reflections, and hands-on demonstrations of assistive robots, including Pepper and Temi. They shared their perceptions, concerns, and expectations, particularly regarding privacy, functionality, and emotional engagement with robots. Key outcomes included rich qualitative data on user needs, increased awareness of SARs among caregivers and individuals with memory challenges, and a better understanding of barriers to adoption. The feedback gathered will inform future research and development, ensuring that assistive robotics align with the real-world needs of those experiencing cognitive decline. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | IROS Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On October 14th, 2024, we co-organized the "Interactive Robots and AI for Healthcare" workshop at the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) 2024. This workshop brought together leading researchers, clinicians, and engineers to explore the role of AI-driven interactive robots in healthcare applications. As part of the event, we presented our contribution, "A SAR-Based Approach to Dementia Intervention Through Physical and Cognitive Interaction," showcasing how Socially Assistive Robots (SARs) can support individuals with dementia through engaging physical and cognitive activities. The workshop facilitated multidisciplinary discussions, leading to new collaborations and knowledge exchange among experts in robotics, healthcare, and AI. It also helped raise awareness of SARs' potential in dementia care, sparking interest in further clinical trials and real-world implementations of assistive robotics for cognitive and physical well-being. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://sites.google.com/view/iraih/home |
| Description | Organising IROS 2025 Workshop on Socially Assistive Robotics (Hangzhou, China) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The workshop held at IROS 2025 in Hangzhou, China brought together an international community of researchers working on socially assistive robotics and human-robot interaction. The event aimed to explore how robotic systems can better perceive human needs, adapt to individual users, and provide meaningful assistance in domains such as healthcare, ageing, and rehabilitation. The workshop featured invited keynote presentations from leading international experts, research spotlight talks, poster presentations, and a panel discussion addressing the future challenges and opportunities in socially assistive robotics. Participation from researchers at Bristol Robotics Laboratory and collaborating institutions enabled dissemination of ongoing work in socially assistive robotics and promoted dialogue between experts from robotics, artificial intelligence, human-robot interaction, and healthcare technology. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/posts/carlosacifuentes_iros2025-activity-7385424971805650944-edIw?utm_sourc... |
| Description | Participation in UK Dementia Congress hashtag#UKDC2025 in Manchester |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The research team participated in the UK Dementia Congress 2025 (Manchester), a national event bringing together researchers, healthcare practitioners, industry partners, and people with lived experience of dementia. The intended purpose of participation was to disseminate research findings, contribute to sector-wide discussion on dementia technologies, and engage directly with stakeholders involved in care delivery and innovation. The team contributed to a panel on dementia technologies and delivered two presentations: one on integrating socially assistive robotics to support wellbeing in people living with dementia and a second on the co-design, acceptability, and usability of SmartSocks wearable technology. Engagement included audience discussion, networking sessions, and dialogue with practitioners and individuals with lived experience. Outcomes included positive stakeholder feedback, increased visibility of the research within the dementia care community, and the identification of new collaborative opportunities across clinical, industry, and third-sector partners. Conversations during the event reinforced the translational relevance of socially assistive robotics and wearable monitoring technologies in dementia care and contributed to strengthening partnerships for future research, validation, and implementation pathways. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://www.linkedin.com/posts/carlosacifuentes_ukdc2025-ukdc2025-activity-7396471200119529472-0hsp |
| Description | Smart Walker Demonstration at RCPA Conference 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | On November 12, 2024, we presented a live demonstration of the Smart Walker at the RCPA Conference 2024, showcasing its assistive mobility and social engagement features to an audience of healthcare professionals, researchers, and industry stakeholders. The purpose of this demonstration was to highlight the walker's capabilities in supporting older adults' mobility, safety, and well-being, while also encouraging discussions on its potential integration into care settings. Attendees engaged in interactive discussions, providing valuable feedback on usability and real-world applications. The event increased awareness of assistive robotic technologies, strengthened collaborations with healthcare professionals, and generated interest in future testing and implementation. Insights from the session are now contributing to further refinements of the Smart Walker to enhance its effectiveness in real-world care environments. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://rcpa.org.uk/events/save-the-date-rcpa-annual-conference-tuesday-12th-november/ |
| Description | User-Centred Assistive Robotics to Support Quality of Life in Ageing and Dementia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The presentation aimed to raise awareness of the potential role of assistive robotics and digital health technologies in supporting ageing populations and improving the quality of life of people living with dementia. The talk highlighted ongoing work at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, including research on socially assistive walkers, wearable sensing systems, and human-robot interaction approaches designed to support daily living and mobility. The session included discussion with attendees about the ethical, social, and practical aspects of introducing robotic technologies into healthcare and home environments. Participants shared perspectives on the challenges faced by older adults and caregivers, which helped inform ongoing research and development efforts. The activity contributed to increasing public understanding of assistive robotics in healthcare and supported dialogue between researchers, practitioners, and members of the community about how emerging technologies can be designed to address real needs in dementia care. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025,2026 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/alzheimers-research-uk-south-west-network-centre-annual-conference-20... |
| Description | Workshop at WCP & BSWCSP conference "Care in a Digital Age" in Swindon |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | We presented the ongoing research project to around 50 participants in two workshops, including representatives from several care homes, NHS, and care providers. During the presentation, we demonstrated the robotics applications developed in the project, which garnered a lot of attention. Many attendees expressed interest in being involved in the project and exploring the potential applications of the products in care settings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.wiltshirecarepartnership.org.uk/events/wcp-and-bswcsp-care-in-a-digital-age-conference/ |