Research project
Alfred – Testing the voice-controlled AI companion for older people
To what extent can older people in retirement homes use the voice-controlled AI companion Alfred independently and what are the possible potentials and barriers to its use?
Alfred is a voice-controlled companion that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help older people with memory training, organising their day and everyday tasks. It largely dispenses with visual controls, making it particularly suitable for people with impaired vision.
Altertainment's Alfred was developed as part of a research project in the MAS Human Computer Interaction Design programme at the OST - Ostschweizer Fachhochschule on the Rapperswil-Jona campus.
As part of the project, the independent application and autonomous use of Alfred is being tested for the first time with scientific support. Over a longer period of time, Alfred will be used by older people in the Wohnen am Singenberg retirement and care home. With the ‘Living Lab’ approach of the IAF Institute for Ageing Research, the IAF accompanies the testing in order to observe and analyse the use of Alfred at several points in time.
Alfred – Testing the voice-controlled AI companion for older people
Duration: 14.10.2024 - 14.04.2025
Funding:
Partner:
Team:
Cornelia Ursprung
IAF Institut für AltersforschungWissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin
+41 58 257 13 13cornelia.ursprung@ost.ch

Simone Eicher
IAF Institut für AltersforschungLeiterin Kompetenzzentrum Technologische Innovationen und Alter
+41 58 257 16 18simone.eicher@ost.ch
