The emerging demographic trends toward an aging population demand new ways and solutions to effectively assist elderly people and increase their level of independence. One particular aspect of this problem is related to the sense of isolation and loneliness, and to the perceived risk to become a burden for friends and family. Social isolation is based on the absence of a network of relationships and on limited integration within society. There is a strong association between social connection/isolation and physical, mental, and emotional health of older people. Many studies show that social networks matched with leisure activities and physical exercise, prolong life, improve physical health in general, and decrease the occurrence of specific age-correlated diseases.

Current ICT technologies can help older persons with physical and/or cognitive problems to improve their quality of life by developing telepresence assistive robots. They are designed as an integration of a videoconference system and a robotic platform that can be remotely operated. The videoconference system enables a person to be virtually present at the spot where the old person is situated.

One of the main features of telepresence systems is the sense of robots presence that emerges when humans interact with and via a telepresence robotic system. People interact with robots in the same way they might interact with other people, establishing social relationships and emotional ties with them. A robot proactively engages users in a social manner creating an interaction with the person for the purpose of giving assistance and support in certain activities of daily living and care.

Recent years there have been increased interest in the telepresence research area, regarding the use of robotic technology as a tool for home care assistance for elderly and for their interpersonal communication with caregivers, relatives and healthcare professionals. InTouch Health Company, in cooperation with Johns Hopkins University, has developed the “Physician-Robot” allowing physicians to visit more regularly their hospitalized patients. Results from an evaluation of Johns Hopkins University showed that 80% of the patients felt that Physician- Robot increases the interaction between physicians and patients. InTouchHealth has also developed the RP-7 platform for physician-patient consults allowing to remotely monitor patients offering ongoing support in terms of primary care and rehabilitation through the robot. Some other examples of telepresence platforms are: TRIC(Telepresence Robot for Interpersonal Communication), TeCaRob(provide customized, ondemand remote assistance for people with special needs), Care-o-Bot(mobile robot assistant to actively support humans in domestic environments), VGO(remote controlled mobile telepresence robot designed for establishing your physical presence in a distant location), Giraff(remotely controlled mobile robot designed with features enabling social interaction from a domestic environment to the outside world-caregivers or friends/family).

The above mentioned robot platforms are in the research phase or in commercial use, but are expensive, so there is a need of a low cost system with described functionalities that will satisfy the needs of the elderly. Because of this we have decided to develop a system combining sensors and a teleoperated robot. The system will perform a range of services including data collection and analysis of long term trends in behaviors and physiological parameters (e.g. relating to sleep or daily activity); warnings, alarms and reminders; and social interaction through the telepresence robot. We believe that our solution will provide an enriched communication and facilitate everyday life of an elderly.