Orro - AI Companion Robot for Elderly Independence & Emotional Support
Designing an AI Robot That Supports Emotional and Physical Autonomy for Seniors
Client:
Interdisciplinary Project
Category:
Healthcare & Assistive Technology
My Role:
UX Researcher
Overview
ORRO is an AI-powered companion robot designed to support elderly individuals facing reduced emotional and physical autonomy. It aims to reduce loneliness, improve daily independence, and provide gentle assistance in routine activities through an intuitive, human-centered interface.
This project explores how technology can help bridge the growing gap in elderly care as Canada’s senior population approaches 25% by 2036.
Problem Statement
Seniors are projected to reach 25% of the Canadian population by 2036, leading to a significant rise in individuals experiencing reduced emotional connection and physical independence.
Despite advancements in healthcare, many elderly individuals:
Experience chronic loneliness and isolation
Struggle with daily routines and medication management
Have limited access to continuous human caregiving support
Feel disconnected from modern digital systems
Challenge:
How might we design an assistive system that preserves dignity while improving emotional wellbeing and independence for elderly users?
Solution
ORRO is designed as a companion-first AI system with three core pillars: 1. Emotional Companion Conversational AI for daily check-ins Memory-based interaction (“How was your walk yesterday?”) Mood detection through voice tone (conceptual) 2. Daily Assistance Medication reminders with gentle prompts Routine scheduling (meals, hydration, sleep) Emergency assistance alerts (caregiver/family notification) 3. Environmental Awareness Voice-controlled home assistance Simple physical indicators (lights, gestures, sound cues) Proactive suggestions based on routine patterns
Research Methods
Why Indirect research was necessary
Accessing senior participants for direct user interviews was challenging due to:
Health and mobility limitations
Ethical and accessibility constraints
Time and recruitment barriers
Sensitivity around discussing independence and cognitive/emotional decline
To ensure the research remained grounded in real-world experiences, we adopted a proxy research approach, focusing on individuals who closely support elderly users in daily life.
Participants
Instead of interviewing seniors directly, we engaged with:
1. Personal Support Workers (PSWs)
Students at Humber College training in elderly care
Actively involved in caregiving roles (home care, assisted living, long-term care environments)
Direct exposure to seniors’ daily physical and emotional needs
2. Caregivers (Informal + Family-based)
Individuals supporting elderly parents or relatives
Provided insight into emotional strain, communication gaps, and routine challenges
Research Limitations
We acknowledge:
No direct interviews with senior users
Insights are partially second-hand through caregivers and PSWs
Emotional nuances may vary across individual seniors
However, this was mitigated by:
Using multiple caregiver perspectives
Cross-referencing experiences from different care settings
Focusing on behavioral patterns rather than assumptions
Design System and Decisions
Key design decisions: Large cognitive load reduction (no menus, no navigation complexity) Slow, calm response timing to match user pace High contrast + readable UI for any minimal display elements Avoiding infantilization (respectful tone and interaction style). Also After exploring multiple Moodboards, we chose orange as ORRO’s primary color because it best aligned with the emotional goals of the product. Cool tones felt too clinical and distant, while neutral palettes lacked emotional warmth. Orange emerged as the most balanced choice—feeling warm, friendly, and human without being overwhelming. It supports ORRO’s core intent as a companion-first system, helping it feel less like a medical device and more like a reassuring presence. We chose a friendly, soft visual language for ORRO to ensure the experience feels approachable and emotionally safe for elderly users
Future Vision
ORRO’s future lies in becoming an intelligent home companion robot that can learn user behavior over time and proactively support physical, emotional, and medical needs. With advancements in AI and sensor technology, it could anticipate needs, detect changes in wellbeing, and coordinate care in real time with healthcare providers.