iBridge - Participative Cross-Generational Approach with Educational Robotics

Robotics is both a technology and a factor that can be used to increase the interest of pupils and students in science and engineering. The project iBridge targets this issue and linked vocational schools and universities with older adults and students in order to increase their interest in innovative technology. This project is a cross-generational project that will engage the students in social and cross-cultural research topics through the application of robotics. In this paper, we introduce the project that allows students to take over the role of a co-researcher who investigate the demands and requirements of older adults towards an assistive service robot. The task of the pupils is to introduce the older adults to computer technology at a Pensioners’ Club and develop a sensitive cuddly toy as a service robot within a series of workshops.