Interdisciplinary research collaborations and learning processes of engineers and social scientists during the development of a robot for seniors in Europe

In a Europe-wide project called Adaptable Ambient LIving ASsistant (ALIAS), engineers and social scientists have been working together to develop a robot that guarantees improvement in the quality of life for seniors. The seniors have been part of the development process from the very beginning. Feedback processes between seniors, social scientists and engineers, have assured that the wishes and attitudes of seniors were included in the development of the robot. This permanent user-inclusion ensures that the needs and preferences of seniors are being integrated during the process. Furthermore, the engineers and social scientists obtain an added value through the interdisciplinarity of the project. In addition, learning effects are being generated because of the close cooperation between the various working groups. The project, in principle, and the interdisciplinary work, in particular, have been built in to this article.