User-centered requests for an assistive robotic system in direct nursing care : a mixed method study

Abstract

This study investigates the integration of user-centered design (UCD) principles into the development of an assistive robotic prototype for direct nursing care. Using a sequential mixed-methods approach, we conducted focus groups and interviews with nurses, care recipients, and their relatives to elicit user requirements. Participants expressed clear preferences related to safety, intuitive interaction, and contextual adaptability of the system. Findings show strong consensus on the need for voice control, ergonomic design, and reliability, while also highlighting barriers such as limited space and concerns about technical complexity. Some user needs proved difficult to translate directly into technical requirements, indicating the necessity for good interdisciplinary collaboration. The study underscores the importance of iterative development, tailored training, and ongoing evaluation to support effective implementation of such robotic systems. Future research should investigate more efficient methods to collect user requests and engage a brighter participants’ population to refine robotic development processes.