The EXCITE project has developed mobile
robot telepresence (MRP) devices
for use in the homes of elderly users to
enable social interaction.
A key novelty in the project is that user
feedback has been gathered using longitudinal
trials where users have the
robot at home for several months. EXCITE
has used the Giraff telepresence
unit developed by Giraff Technologies
AB. At the beginning of the project, the
unit was in an initial prototype stage with
limited functionalities. After three years,
user feedback from EXCITE has led to
the development, change of the unit,
and synthesis of various releases in a
manner which is coherent with user´s
requests.
The project has won the AAL JP Most
Promising Project Award in 2011 and
has been in focus of a plethora of venues
as a technology advocate for independent
assisted living. Regarding
social and economic impact, care organizations
in Sweden have validated
the cost savings of the Giraff solution
in the appropriate care scenarios, and
the increased “peace of mind” experienced
by elderly residents and family
members.

http://www.aal-europe.eu/projects/excite/

• Western Europe and North America

• Older persons

The EXCITE project has developed mobile robot telepresence (MRP) devices for use in the homes of elderly users to enable social interaction. A key novelty in the project is that user feedback has been gathered using longitudinal trials where users have the robot at home for several months. EXCITE has used the Giraff telepresence unit developed by Giraff Technologies AB. A