Adaptation of a Study Design to the COVID-19 Pandemic Regulations - Evaluation of a Voice-Controlled Robotic Kitchen Assistance System for the Support of Older Adults in Need of Care

ABSTRACT

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic had and still has a major impact on the design and realization of studies with volunteers due to the associated restrictions in face-to-face research. In connection with vulnerable target groups in particular, alternative study designs have to be considered. In the AuRorA project, a voice-controlled robotic kitchen assistance system was developed for supporting older adults in need of care. We will present how we planned and conducted the evaluation of the system despite pandemic restrictions. Methods. We carried out an iterative risk management based on ISO 121002010 with a multidisciplinary team before starting the study. In addition to the consideration of personnel safety in human-robot interaction, additional focus was placed on subject safety with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results. The risk management revealed that the study cannot be conducted via face-to-face with the target group. As a result, the study was performed via an online survey. We evaluated the robotic system using questionnaires. We simulated and filmed an exemplary cooking process and implemented the video into the survey. The target group was reached via mail. Discussion. Other research groups also struggeled to adapt their studies to the pandemic situation. However, no best practice example exist yet. With our risk management, we were able to adapt our study design. However, only part of the target group could be reached. In addition, it can be questioned wether the ISO, which adresses machine safety, was an efficient application of risk management in this area. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.