AI personal assistant

The challenge

Integrating AI and human emotions

Retirees living in nursing homes feel disconnected and alone from their loved ones. How can we make them feel more at home and connected?

Anthropomorphism and AI

Advantages of human-like products

With technology constantly evolving, the concept of anthropomorphism in AI has been a rising topic of conversation within the design industry. Anthropomorphism is the act of “ascribing human form or personality traits to nonhuman things.” With humans naturally and instinctively anthropomorphizing, it is important to utilize technology for the development of their pre-existing values and experiences. The advancement of human-like technology has positive impacts, including easing isolation and any loneliness. 

In order to design a voice assistant using anthropomorphism successfully, it must do the following things:

"Anticipate and address possible anger triggers, such as when a user response does not match the grammar, or when the identification number he provides is off by one digit or so"

Adjust behavior based on user feedback

Avoid open-ended questions to lessen user expectations of what the system can do. 

Understanding my users

Retirees in nursing homes

We interviewed several senior citizens to get an idea of how they view technology and their current station. From those interviews, we had 4 major takeaways and insights:

Conversation reduces loneliness

Photos help them feel connected to loved ones

News helps them feel less isolated

Music brings them comfort

User Story

Charlie is a 79 year old retiree living in a nursing home in Austin, TX. His wife passed away 5 years ago and his children are only able to visit once a month. Charlie misses his family and is beginning to feel isolated.

Creating Aura

Onboarding the user

During the onbroading process, the user is asked personality questions so that their personal assistant is best suited for them. By doing this, Aura would be able to better help the user because it can predict how the user would react to certain questions and feedback. Having a developed, humanized assistant that catered to the user's needs at its highest potential was important in creating trust and a solid relationship between human and that specific tech.

Goal: Conversation reduces loneliness

Connecting with loved ones & memories

Providing comfort

In this flow, Aura senses a change in tone from the user and suggests looking at photos of loved ones in order to help them feel less isolated and more connected with their family. This provides comfort and further builds on that trust, creating a stronger relationship between the user and Aura.

Goal: Photos help them feel connected to loved ones

Connecting with the news

Easing isolation through outside exposure

Another method of easeing the sense of isolation that retirees experience is by receiving current world events so that they're still connected to the outside world. The user is able to receive this information via text or through Aura speaking.

Goal: News helps them feel less isolated

Comfort through music

Providing entertainment and confidence

Giving the user full access to their playlists through this interface ultimately relaxes them and instills a confidence that they may be familiar with while using other devices. Aura can sense when they'll need this form on entertainment, and will suggest it accordingly.

Goal: Music bringing them comfort

Visual Inspiration

Light and bright

A major aspect of our visual inspiration were the AI-like products that we found. We wanted the interface to feel light and welcoming, as well as accessible. Focusing on a light theme was the best option for us.