Humanoid Robots for Health and Welfare: on humanoid robots as a welfare technology used in interaction with persons with dementia

This dissertation takes an exploratory approach to investigating the interactions between the Functionally Designed Socially Assistive Robot Telenoid in interaction with elderly persons with severe dementia. Initially, the dissertation reviews the current state of research into Humanoid Socially Assistive Robots in the domain of Health and Welfare. Then a Constructivist Grounded Theory Method is applied to characterise and explicate the interactions between six Participants with sever dementia and Telenoid. The following qualitative analysis of interactions reveals both specific and general Participant interaction scripts, appropriations and point of improvement. In addition the conclusions and discussions adds to the body of knowledge on the application of these robots by revealing some of the roles, challenges and opportunities Humanoid Socially Assistive Robots can adopt to, create and fulfil in the Health and Welfare system of tomorrow