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Summary: Evaluation and Refinement of a Design
Framework for Generating Dependable
Virtual Companions for Later Life
Dennis MACIUSZEK, Johan ABERG and Nahid SHAHMEHRI
Department of Computer and Information Science
Linköpings universitet, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
Abstract. Resources in care for frail older people are limited. Electronic assistive
technology can help maintain and improve older people's quality of life, however
high requirements need to be put on such systems. As part of an iterative design
process, this paper evaluates a framework for the design of interactive,
multifunctional, and personalised assistive technology virtual companions in
relation to previously defined dependability requirements. By means of scenario-
based testing of a prototype implementation, we refine the first version of the
design framework. The paper concludes with a reflection on our method, and
outlines the iteration steps to follow.
Keywords. Assistive technology, elderly, virtual companion, dependability,
personalisation, iterative design, multi-agent system
Introduction
On Wednesday 9 February 2005, local newspapers in Östergötland, Sweden reported
the case of a 90-year old man who had died in his flat connected to a nearby assisted
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