Mehrbod Manavi
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Publications
2025
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Manavi, M., Carros, F., Schwaninger, I., Paluch, R., Randall, D., Krueger, M., Tufan, I., Wieching, R., Tolmie, P., Mueller, C. & Wulf, V. (2025)“Making Robots Usable”: Empowering Care Professionals to Customize Social Robots in Care
IN International Journal of Social Robotics doi:10.1007/s12369-025-01238-1
[BibTeX] [Download PDF]@article{manavi_making_2025, title = {"{Making} {Robots} {Usable}": {Empowering} {Care} {Professionals} to {Customize} {Social} {Robots} in {Care}}, url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12369-025-01238-1}, doi = {10.1007/s12369-025-01238-1}, language = {en}, journal = {International Journal of Social Robotics}, author = {Manavi, Mehrbod and Carros, Felix and Schwaninger, Isabel and Paluch, Richard and Randall, Dave and Krueger, Maximilian and Tufan, Ilayda and Wieching, Rainer and Tolmie, Peter and Mueller, Claudia and Wulf, Volker}, month = apr, year = {2025}, keywords = {italg, wineme}, } -
Manavi, M., Carros, F., Unbehaun, D., Eisenmann, C., Müller, L., Wieching, R. & Wulf, V. (2025)From idle to interaction – assessing social dynamics and unanticipated conversations between social robots and residents with mild cognitive impairment in a nursing home
IN i-com doi:10.1515/icom-2024-0046
[BibTeX] [Abstract] [Download PDF]This paper examines the potential impact of social robots on people with mild cognitive impairments in a nursing home. Within a 4-month design case study, we investigated the practices, attitudes, and social contexts of residents with mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers and designed two prototype apps for a robotic-based system. Subsequently, 10 residents, the former nursing home manager, and one social caregiver participated in a prototype evaluation study for 10 weeks. The goal was to assess group-based user experience and social interactions. Qualitative results indicate that the system can support participants in their individual, social, and daily activities and, therefore, consequently initiate potentially meaningful interactions. One key observation from the video analysis was that the participants initiated unanticipated conversations with the robot, which we discuss regarding the prompting character, design appearance, and affordances of the robot in interaction.
@article{manavi_idle_2025, title = {From idle to interaction – assessing social dynamics and unanticipated conversations between social robots and residents with mild cognitive impairment in a nursing home}, copyright = {De Gruyter expressly reserves the right to use all content for commercial text and data mining within the meaning of Section 44b of the German Copyright Act.}, issn = {2196-6826}, url = {https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/icom-2024-0046/html}, doi = {10.1515/icom-2024-0046}, abstract = {This paper examines the potential impact of social robots on people with mild cognitive impairments in a nursing home. Within a 4-month design case study, we investigated the practices, attitudes, and social contexts of residents with mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers and designed two prototype apps for a robotic-based system. Subsequently, 10 residents, the former nursing home manager, and one social caregiver participated in a prototype evaluation study for 10 weeks. The goal was to assess group-based user experience and social interactions. Qualitative results indicate that the system can support participants in their individual, social, and daily activities and, therefore, consequently initiate potentially meaningful interactions. One key observation from the video analysis was that the participants initiated unanticipated conversations with the robot, which we discuss regarding the prompting character, design appearance, and affordances of the robot in interaction.}, language = {en}, urldate = {2025-03-27}, journal = {i-com}, author = {Manavi, Mehrbod and Carros, Felix and Unbehaun, David and Eisenmann, Clemens and Müller, Lena and Wieching, Rainer and Wulf, Volker}, month = mar, year = {2025}, note = {Publisher: Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag}, keywords = {HCI, HRI, living lab, design case study, social robots, socio-informatics, care home, humanoid robots, MCI, nursing home, PraxLabs, SAR}, }
2024
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Trovato, G., Du, Y., Mitchell, S., Trevejo, F. P., Condori, R. L., Katagiri, M., Obe, R., Gawande, M., Cosentino, S., Manavi, M., Carros, F. & Wieching, R. (2024)CelesTE, theomorphic device for cognitive support of older adults
2024 IEEE International Conference on Advanced Robotics and Its Social Impacts (ARSO)., Pages: 200–205 doi:10.1109/ARSO60199.2024.10557814
[BibTeX] [Abstract] [Download PDF]Healthy ageing is a challenge in societies that can be coped with the help of socially assistive robots. This study introduces CelesTE, a theomorphic device designed to support the well-being of older adults. Building upon the foundations laid by SanTO, the Catholic robot, CelesTE takes the form of an angel in prayer and aims to engage users, particularly those of the Christian Catholic faith. The paper delves into CelesTE’s conceptual evolution, addressing challenges related to religious perceptions, fallibility, and user interaction. Quantitative and qualitative feedback was collected from 14 participants across three European countries. Results indicate generally positive acceptance, although limitation were found. Negative responses are considered particularly valuable for CelesTE’s future development.
@inproceedings{trovato_celeste_2024, title = {{CelesTE}, theomorphic device for cognitive support of older adults}, url = {https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10557814}, doi = {10.1109/ARSO60199.2024.10557814}, abstract = {Healthy ageing is a challenge in societies that can be coped with the help of socially assistive robots. This study introduces CelesTE, a theomorphic device designed to support the well-being of older adults. Building upon the foundations laid by SanTO, the Catholic robot, CelesTE takes the form of an angel in prayer and aims to engage users, particularly those of the Christian Catholic faith. The paper delves into CelesTE’s conceptual evolution, addressing challenges related to religious perceptions, fallibility, and user interaction. Quantitative and qualitative feedback was collected from 14 participants across three European countries. Results indicate generally positive acceptance, although limitation were found. Negative responses are considered particularly valuable for CelesTE’s future development.}, urldate = {2024-12-11}, booktitle = {2024 {IEEE} {International} {Conference} on {Advanced} {Robotics} and {Its} {Social} {Impacts} ({ARSO})}, author = {Trovato, Gabriele and Du, Yegang and Mitchell, Scean and Trevejo, Franco Pariasca and Condori, Rodrigo Lopez and Katagiri, Masao and Obe, Rio and Gawande, Manishk and Cosentino, Sarah and Manavi, Mehrbod and Carros, Felix and Wieching, Rainer}, month = may, year = {2024}, note = {ISSN: 2162-7576}, keywords = {Europe, Older adults, Robots, Aging, Buildings, Assistive robots}, pages = {200--205}, }
2023
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Carros, F., Jockisch, S., Manavi, M. & Wulf, V. (2023)Fears about Social Robots in Nursing
doi:10.48340/ihc2023_p020
[BibTeX] [Abstract]As the nursing sector’s shortcomings remain unchanged, social robots are becoming increasingly relevant. While real-life encounters are uncommon, the media and fiction continue to impact people’s perceptions of robots. Capabilities and shortcomings are frequently exaggerated, producing a vision of automated technology that will replace human labor. This article focuses on the topic of worries associated with robot use. Most stakeholders are concerned about disenfranchisement and data protection. They create uncertainties about how the introduction of robots will affect people’s lives and work situations. This article compiles the concerns of various parties and advocates for the transparent and participatory development of robots in nursing.
@inproceedings{carros_fears_2023, title = {Fears about {Social} {Robots} in {Nursing}}, doi = {10.48340/ihc2023_p020}, abstract = {As the nursing sector's shortcomings remain unchanged, social robots are becoming increasingly relevant. While real-life encounters are uncommon, the media and fiction continue to impact people's perceptions of robots. Capabilities and shortcomings are frequently exaggerated, producing a vision of automated technology that will replace human labor. This article focuses on the topic of worries associated with robot use. Most stakeholders are concerned about disenfranchisement and data protection. They create uncertainties about how the introduction of robots will affect people's lives and work situations. This article compiles the concerns of various parties and advocates for the transparent and participatory development of robots in nursing.}, author = {Carros, Felix and Jockisch, Sabine and Manavi, Mehrbod and Wulf, Volker}, month = sep, year = {2023}, } -
Hille, N., Bürvenich, B., Carros, F., Manavi, M., Wieching, R., Matsumoto, Y. & Wulf, V. (2023)The Effects of Android Robots Displaying Emotion on Humans: Interactions between Older Adults and Android Robots
, Publisher: arXiv doi:10.48550/arXiv.2303.13624
[BibTeX] [Abstract] [Download PDF]Often robots are seen as a means to an end to fulfill a logical objective task. Android robots, on the other hand, provide new possibilities to fulfill emotional tasks and could therefore be integrated into assistive scenarios. We explored this possibility by letting older adults and stakeholders have a conversation with an android robot capable of expressing emotion through facial expressions. The study was carried out with a wizard-of-oz approach and data collected with a mixed methods approach. We found that the participants were encouraged to speak more with the robot due to its smile. Simultaneously, many ethical questions were raised about transparency and manipulation. Our research can give valuable insight into the reaction of older adults to android robots that show emotions.
@misc{hille_effects_2023, title = {The {Effects} of {Android} {Robots} {Displaying} {Emotion} on {Humans}: {Interactions} between {Older} {Adults} and {Android} {Robots}}, shorttitle = {The {Effects} of {Android} {Robots} {Displaying} {Emotion} on {Humans}}, url = {http://arxiv.org/abs/2303.13624}, doi = {10.48550/arXiv.2303.13624}, abstract = {Often robots are seen as a means to an end to fulfill a logical objective task. Android robots, on the other hand, provide new possibilities to fulfill emotional tasks and could therefore be integrated into assistive scenarios. We explored this possibility by letting older adults and stakeholders have a conversation with an android robot capable of expressing emotion through facial expressions. The study was carried out with a wizard-of-oz approach and data collected with a mixed methods approach. We found that the participants were encouraged to speak more with the robot due to its smile. Simultaneously, many ethical questions were raised about transparency and manipulation. Our research can give valuable insight into the reaction of older adults to android robots that show emotions.}, urldate = {2023-03-30}, publisher = {arXiv}, author = {Hille, Nora and Bürvenich, Berenike and Carros, Felix and Manavi, Mehrbod and Wieching, Rainer and Matsumoto, Yoshio and Wulf, Volker}, month = mar, year = {2023}, note = {arXiv:2303.13624 [cs]}, keywords = {Computer Science - Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science - Robotics}, } -
Heinemann, S., Manavi, M., Taugerbeck, S., Bräuer, J., Wolf, A., Colak, C., Müller, D., Sauerwald, J., Unbehaun, D. & Wulf, V. (2023)The Narrative Future of (digital) Care – Envisioning Care Fiction(s) in Education-based and professional Care Settings
[BibTeX] [Abstract] [Download PDF]
This paper explores future opportunities for care through practice-based inter-ventions in real care settings and the use of design fiction as a method. Based on real innovation spaces within care-schools, we applied a design fiction approach to conceptualize and envision future care scenarios that include prototypical so-lutions for a digital transformation for both, people who in care contexts and people in need of care. We reflect on the content and implications of care fictions developed in collaboration with care-schools for shaping future systems of care and health in rural areas. With …
@article{heinemann_narrative_2023, title = {The {Narrative} {Future} of (digital) {Care} – {Envisioning} {Care} {Fiction}(s) in {Education}-based and professional {Care} {Settings}}, issn = {2510-2591}, url = {https://dl.eusset.eu/handle/20.500.12015/5030}, abstract = {This paper explores future opportunities for care through practice-based inter-ventions in real care settings and the use of design fiction as a method. Based on real innovation spaces within care-schools, we applied a design fiction approach to conceptualize and envision future care scenarios that include prototypical so-lutions for a digital transformation for both, people who in care contexts and people in need of care. We reflect on the content and implications of care fictions developed in collaboration with care-schools for shaping future systems of care and health in rural areas. With ...}, language = {en}, urldate = {2023-10-05}, author = {Heinemann, Sonja and Manavi, Mehrbod and Taugerbeck, Sebastian and Bräuer, Julia and Wolf, Andrea and Colak, Cem and Müller, Dorothee and Sauerwald, Julia and Unbehaun, David and Wulf, Volker}, year = {2023}, note = {Publisher: European Society for Socially Embedded Technologies (EUSSET)}, } -
González-Villalobos, S., Miao, Y., Renardias, J. & Manavi, M. (2023)Erinnern Sie sich noch? A Storytelling Game with Pepper for Older Adults’ Memory Training
, Publisher: European Society for Socially Embedded Technologies (EUSSET) doi:10.48340/ihc2023_pd026
[BibTeX] [Abstract] [Download PDF]Providing care for older adults in Germany is becoming increasingly challenging due to current demographic and social trends. To address this issue, technologies, such as robot-based, are being used to develop and test new ideas on how to provide nursing care. Moreover, many older adults can be affected by memory loss problems. Memory training can play a crucial role in helping ameliorate these issues, improve memory performance, and connect with others. This project aims to offer a memory game that provides residents with a meaningful activity, such as memory training, that they can enjoy …
@inproceedings{gonzalez-villalobos_erinnern_2023, title = {Erinnern {Sie} sich noch? {A} {Storytelling} {Game} with {Pepper} for {Older} {Adults}' {Memory} {Training}}, shorttitle = {Erinnern {Sie} sich noch?}, url = {https://dl.eusset.eu/handle/20.500.12015/5019}, doi = {10.48340/ihc2023_pd026}, abstract = {Providing care for older adults in Germany is becoming increasingly challenging due to current demographic and social trends. To address this issue, technologies, such as robot-based, are being used to develop and test new ideas on how to provide nursing care. Moreover, many older adults can be affected by memory loss problems. Memory training can play a crucial role in helping ameliorate these issues, improve memory performance, and connect with others. This project aims to offer a memory game that provides residents with a meaningful activity, such as memory training, that they can enjoy ...}, language = {en}, urldate = {2025-04-09}, publisher = {European Society for Socially Embedded Technologies (EUSSET)}, author = {González-Villalobos, Sofía and Miao, Yanwei and Renardias, Julia and Manavi, Mehrbod}, year = {2023}, note = {ISSN: 2510-2591}, }
2022
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Chang, Y., Carros, F., Manavi, M. & Rathmann, M. (2022)How do Roboticists Imagine a Robotised Future? A Case Study on a Japanese HRI Research Project
doi:10.20944/preprints202204.0081.v1
[BibTeX] [Abstract] [Download PDF]This study observes, interprets, and analyses the knowledge production in the research field of Human–Robot Interaction (HRI). It intends to foreground the hidden assumptions that are often taken for granted when roboticist design and conduct their research. By doing so, this study demonstrates how these assumptions influence the result of their research. Based on data collected through sociological field observation, this study argues that the current practise in HRI research is highly anthropocentric. In short, the robots are designed to be like human instead of for human. Therefore, the human–robot relationship embodies the existing power relations between human beings. These relations generate inequality, hierarchy, and dominance, which are the opposite of the common imagination of the robotised future among roboticists. For the purpose of enabling the robotised future closer to their ideal, this study suggests that HRI researchers to go beyond the conventional methodology, to allow a human–robot relationship that realises reciprocity.
@article{chang_how_2022, title = {How do {Roboticists} {Imagine} a {Robotised} {Future}? {A} {Case} {Study} on a {Japanese} {HRI} {Research} {Project}}, shorttitle = {How do {Roboticists} {Imagine} a {Robotised} {Future}?}, url = {https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202204.0081/v1}, doi = {10.20944/preprints202204.0081.v1}, abstract = {This study observes, interprets, and analyses the knowledge production in the research field of Human\–Robot Interaction (HRI). It intends to foreground the hidden assumptions that are often taken for granted when roboticist design and conduct their research. By doing so, this study demonstrates how these assumptions influence the result of their research. Based on data collected through sociological field observation, this study argues that the current practise in HRI research is highly anthropocentric. In short, the robots are designed to be like human instead of for human. Therefore, the human\–robot relationship embodies the existing power relations between human beings. These relations generate inequality, hierarchy, and dominance, which are the opposite of the common imagination of the robotised future among roboticists. For the purpose of enabling the robotised future closer to their ideal, this study suggests that HRI researchers to go beyond the conventional methodology, to allow a human\–robot relationship that realises reciprocity.}, language = {en}, urldate = {2022-04-12}, author = {Chang, Yu-Hsin and Carros, Felix and Manavi, Mehrbod and Rathmann, Martin}, month = apr, year = {2022}, note = {Publisher: Preprints}, } -
Carros, F., Bürvenich, B., Browne, R., Matsumoto, Y., Trovato, G., Manavi, M., Homma, K., Ogawa, T., Wieching, R. & Wulf, V. (2022)Not that Uncanny After All? An Ethnographic Study on Android Robots Perception of Older Adults in Germany and Japan
Social Robotics. Cham, Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland, Pages: 574–586 doi:10.1007/978-3-031-24670-8_51
[BibTeX] [Abstract] [Download PDF]Intercultural studies are scarce but yet insightful to better understand reactions of older adults to human-like Android robot behavior. They help to see which reactions of participants are universal and which are country specific. Research with android robots and older adults has many results that are based on online research with pictures or on research that has been carried out in labs in one country. Within a Japanese-European research project, we had the rare occasion to work with an android robot in both countries and compare the results. We collected data from 19 participants that were invited in a Living Lab at two universities in Japan and Germany. The data contains interviews, videos and questionnaires and was analyzed with a mixed method approach. Results indicate that the android robots of this study are not in the valley of the uncanny valley theory. We could observe that the older adults and stakeholders from both countries were open to talk to the robot, some even about private topics, while others preferred to use the robot to retrieve information. German participants wished for more gestures, while Japanese participants were keen on the relatively little number of gestures. With this work we contribute to a broader understanding on how older adults perceive android robots and could show that an android robot with its human-like appearance is not seen as uncanny.
@inproceedings{carros_not_2022, address = {Cham}, series = {Lecture {Notes} in {Computer} {Science}}, title = {Not that {Uncanny} {After} {All}? {An} {Ethnographic} {Study} on {Android} {Robots} {Perception} of {Older} {Adults} in {Germany} and {Japan}}, isbn = {978-3-031-24670-8}, shorttitle = {Not that {Uncanny} {After} {All}?}, url = {https://www.wineme.uni-siegen.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/069-Not-that-uncanny-after-all_-Camera-Ready_v2.pdf}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-031-24670-8_51}, abstract = {Intercultural studies are scarce but yet insightful to better understand reactions of older adults to human-like Android robot behavior. They help to see which reactions of participants are universal and which are country specific. Research with android robots and older adults has many results that are based on online research with pictures or on research that has been carried out in labs in one country. Within a Japanese-European research project, we had the rare occasion to work with an android robot in both countries and compare the results. We collected data from 19 participants that were invited in a Living Lab at two universities in Japan and Germany. The data contains interviews, videos and questionnaires and was analyzed with a mixed method approach. Results indicate that the android robots of this study are not in the valley of the uncanny valley theory. We could observe that the older adults and stakeholders from both countries were open to talk to the robot, some even about private topics, while others preferred to use the robot to retrieve information. German participants wished for more gestures, while Japanese participants were keen on the relatively little number of gestures. With this work we contribute to a broader understanding on how older adults perceive android robots and could show that an android robot with its human-like appearance is not seen as uncanny.}, language = {en}, booktitle = {Social {Robotics}}, publisher = {Springer Nature Switzerland}, author = {Carros, Felix and Bürvenich, Berenike and Browne, Ryan and Matsumoto, Yoshio and Trovato, Gabriele and Manavi, Mehrbod and Homma, Keiko and Ogawa, Toshimi and Wieching, Rainer and Wulf, Volker}, editor = {Cavallo, Filippo and Cabibihan, John-John and Fiorini, Laura and Sorrentino, Alessandra and He, Hongsheng and Liu, Xiaorui and Matsumoto, Yoshio and Ge, Shuzhi Sam}, year = {2022}, keywords = {Appropriation, HRI, Older adults, Ethnography, Android robot, Assisted living, Living lab, NLP, Self-disclosure, Social robot, Uncanny valley, Wizard-of-Oz}, pages = {574--586}, }
