NYAM: The Role of Configurable Engagement Strategies in Robotic-Assisted Feeding

In some contexts, like geriatric hospitals, the number of patients requiring assistance with feeding is very high and robots may be an effective tool for caregivers to provide better assistance. This article introduces NYAM, a robot designed to aid in the feeding process for individuals. Our robot is equipped with a mechanism to effectively recapture the person’s attention whenever necessary. The mechanism is easily adjustable by the caregivers, allowing the straightforward customisation of the feeding service. The approach was evaluated, within a geriatric hospital, with 9 patients who used the robot for 5 consecutive days. We argue that incorporating enhanced social aspects into the robot is imperative to enhance the effectiveness and acceptance of this solution.