Exploring AI robot mobility in real residential environments for people living with frailty: an observational study

Chrysikou, Evangelia, Savvopoulou, Eleftheria, Jones, Nathan, Loizides, Fernando ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0531-6760 and Biddulph, Jane 2026. Exploring AI robot mobility in real residential environments for people living with frailty: an observational study. Journal of Aging and Environment 10.1080/26892618.2026.2753177

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB)

Abstract

As policies increasingly promote assistive robots to support aging in place, little is known about whether real, lived-in homes can accommodate meaningful human–robot cohabitation for people living with frailty. This observational study examined how residential built environments shape such feasibility. Eight assisted-living residences in England (seven single-occupancy and one shared by a couple) were 3D scanned and reconstructed as CAD floor plans to simulate the movement of a commercially available humanoid robot (Pepper). Robot movement was fragmented in all residences because frailty-supporting adaptations, door widths, corridor constraints, and room geometry conflicted with robot clearance and sensing requirements. Critically, high-risk rooms were least accessible: no bedroom allowed full bed access (0/11), and bathrooms were inaccessible in 38% of residences, revealing a dual-user housing and robotics design challenge.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Schools > Computational & Mathematical Sciences Schools > Computer Science & Informatics
ISSN:	2689-2618
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	11 November 2026
Last Modified:	11 Nov 2026 12:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/190853

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item