About the lab

Independent Living Centre joint run by Frankfurter Stiftung für Gehörlose und Schwerhörige, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and the VdK Social Association Hesse-Thuringa who counsels persons with functional loss
- displays Assistive Technologies and concepts for barrierfree design in a model flat
- informs about the history of deaf and hearing impaired people
- awareness-raising for functional loss
www.frankfurt-university.de/inclusivedesign

Featured research (5)

In this contribution, the participatory design process for a service robot to assist people in old age or with disabilities is presented. In order to provide the platform with an attractive and accepted embodiment, a three-stage approach with potential users is envisaged. This article reports the results of phase 1. Three models with different head and body shapes were evaluated by a younger and an older age group. They were exposed to 3D models they saw in the room through augmented reality glasses. A mixed methods design was chosen: Respondents were asked about each of the models by using open questions in a questionnaire. Additionally, they had to rate the robot in a semantic profile. The potential users preferred a design with a rounded body and an implied face. Tendencies could be seen towards different results in the age groups concerning colour and human likeness. Most people in the younger age group voted for a model with a less humanlike face, while in the older age group a high proportion also chose a model with a human face on a monitor. Changes such as a friendlier expression, a lower height of the robot and a rounder shape of the body seem to be necessary. Involving potential user groups in the process proves useful, as it provides deeper insight into their needs. Augmented reality evaluation promises to be a time and material saving method, but further research is needed to validate procedures and results.
The possibilities of digital technologies for people with disabilities or the older population are wide-ranging, but in order for all people to be able to participate in an increasingly „digital world“, it is important to qualify professionals and organizations so that they are able to support, advise and help with potential risks. The article presents results of a survey among health and social care professionals in seven European countries with regard to qualification in this domain and introduces the European Union funded project DDSkills. The project aims to qualify health and social care professionals in areas such as digital Assistive Technologies, Smart Home, Robotics, Virtual and Augmented Reality and Brain-Computer-Interface, as well as their implementation and application, in order to support people with disabilities or functional decline to increase their independence and social participation.

Lab head

Barbara Klein
Department
  • Faculty of Health and Social Work

Members (6)

Patrizia Tolle
  • Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
Annalies Baumeister
  • Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
H.H. Rossberg
  • Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
Marina Ringwald
  • Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
Sebastian Reutzel
  • Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
Melanie Schmidt
  • Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
Elizaveta Gardo
Elizaveta Gardo
  • Not confirmed yet