| Abstract |
| As population aging accelerates, social issues, such as emotional isolation, cognitive decline, and safety risks among older adults, are becoming more pressing, creating a growing interest in technology-based solutions. Among these, digital companion robots have attracted significant attention as personalized support tools that address the emotional, cognitive, and physical needs of older adults. Consequently, research focused on enhancing user acceptance and satisfaction through design has become increasingly important. This study evaluates the functional and aesthetic design elements of digital companion robots for older adults and proposes evaluation methods and design criteria. Over a period of approximately 3.5 years, repeated experiments and validations were conducted with older participants. Based on the evaluation of the robot’s facial expressions and the final prototype, this study outlines the key design elements and assessment strategies. The findings show that in terms of aesthetics, variable facial expressions positively influence the impression of the robot. A rounded, animal-like exterior was found to promote perceptions of cuteness and emotional familiarity, contributing to increased aesthetic satisfaction. From a functional perspective, essential features, such as calling, alarms, and video playback, received generally positive ratings. For verbal interaction, aspects, such as voice tone, consistent terminology, and vocal clarity, were identified as crucial for improving usability, especially for older users. Display-related factors―including touch interface, screen dimensions, and font size―should be adapted to the physical and cognitive characteristics of older adults. In terms of safety, structural stability with sufficient durability and protection against physical injury were identified as important considerations for daily use. Overall, this study provides elderly-centered design criteria for digital companion robots based on an integrated assessment of aesthetic appeal and functional performance. |
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| Key Words |
| Digital Companion Robot, Elderly-Centered Design, Aesthetic Element, Functional Element, Facial Expression, 디지털 컴패니언 로봇, 고령자 중심 디자인, 심미적 요소, 기능적 요소, 표정 |
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