Alleviating Skin Hunger in Older Adults: The Convergence of Creative VR and Robotic Sensory Cushions

In the context of global aging and health, the issue of skin hunger among older adults has captured our attention. Skin hunger primarily refers to the physical need for touch and the psychological need for emotional care. This research aims to employ creative Virtual Reality (VR) and a robotic sensory cushion as “phygital” probes (a combination of physical and digital elements) to investigate supporting both psychological and physical aspects of skin hunger. By integrating VR with tactile materials, we developed the “Extended Reality (XR) Living Space,” a prototype tool designed to delve into the emotional and tactile preferences of older adults, fostering enhanced connections both emotionally and physically. Furthermore, our research extends to the design of a robotic sensory cushion, based on insights into tactile material preferences and user research, specifically tailored to meet the physical needs of skin hunger in older adults. Our research underscores the therapeutic potential of integrating nostalgic elements within VR experiences to soothe the emotional facets of skin hunger in older populations. The research also delves into the crucial interplay between material choice and functionality in the design of robotic cushions, aiming to meet the physical needs of older adults. The paper summarizes design insights of these converging experiences of virtual and robotic interfaces and the design of a series of trials is slated to evaluate the efficacy of this approach.