SOCIUS - Social robots in the promotion of children's mental health

The use of a social robot in primary schools enables digital forms of health promotion using mental health as an example, where human-machine interaction needs to be understood in depth.

Factsheet

  • Lead school School of Health Professions
  • Additional schools Bern Academy of the Arts
    Business School
  • Institute(s) Institute of Design Research
    Nursing
  • Research unit(s) Environmental Communication Design
    Knowledge Visualization
    Innovation in the Field of Digital Health
  • Strategic thematic field Thematic field "Humane Digital Transformation"
  • Funding organisation BFH
  • Duration (planned) 01.04.2024 - 31.12.2024
  • Project management Prof. Dr. Friederike J.S. Thilo
  • Head of project Prof. Dr. Friederike J.S. Thilo
  • Project staff Sophia Müller
    Simon Walker
    Prof. Dr. Hartmut Schulze
    Prof. Jimmy Schmid
    Prof. Dr. Reinhard Riedl
  • Keywords Robotics, Digital transformation, Human-to-machine interaction, Mental health, Design Science Research, Mind Matters

Situation

The use of social robots is increasing. However, there is a paucity of empirical research on social robots in the field of mental health promotion in primary schools.

Course of action

The following artefacts will be developed in an interdisciplinary, participatory and iterative way, using qualitative research methods, conceptual work and workshops: Research setup, research design, prototyping and documentation methodology.

Looking ahead

Through the use of robots in health promotion in a school setting, a complex context with humans at the centre is being systematically investigated. The aim is to derive appropriate interaction patterns for other settings (e.g. hospitals).

This project contributes to the following SDGs

  • 3: Good health and well-being