Minor Project
22/09/25 - 11/01/26 (Week 1 - Week 15)
Minor Project / Bachelor in Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Table of Content :
- Module Information Booklet
- Task
- Links
- Peer Evaluation
- Reflection
Module Information Booklet :
Task :
Group 13 | Social AI Robot Project
Task 2 & 3:
Peer Evaluation :
Links :
Google Drive :
Google Document :
Reflection :
Experience
Working on the Social AI Robot project was honestly one of the most meaningful parts of this class for me. I was really involved in designing the slides for our final presentation, so I spent a lot of time going through our research and figuring out how to present it in a way that still felt human and respectful toward the elderly. It made me realise that design isn’t just about visuals, it’s also about storytelling and responsibility.
I was also deeply involved in interviewing people, which really opened my eyes. Talking to caretakers and the elderly made everything feel real, not just like a school assignment. Hearing about loneliness, faith, routines, fear, and the desire to still feel useful made me slow down and listen more carefully. I found myself becoming more empathetic because these weren’t just “users”, they were people with full lives and emotions.
Another part I enjoyed (and struggled with sometimes!) was helping create the Convai AI characters. Trying to shape their personalities so they sounded warm, respectful, and supportive made me think a lot about how AI should speak to people, especially the elderly. Seeing the AI come to life in VR after all that work was a really proud moment for me.
Observations
Through the interviews and testing sessions, I noticed how different every elderly person’s experience is. Some really wanted conversations, purpose, and independence. Others just wanted someone to listen. At the same time, many of them were unsure about technology, the VR headset felt heavy, the controls were unfamiliar, and some were even worried about their eyes. It made me realise that even the “small things” we overlook can become barriers for someone else.
When people tried the AI companion, I observed that although it was friendly, sometimes it felt a bit too robotic or perfect, which actually made it feel less real. Accent recognition wasn’t always accurate either, which frustrated some participants. A few even said they wanted the AI to ask more natural questions instead of waiting for them to lead the conversation. It reminded me that tiny details like tone, pauses, and body language matter a lot in emotional design.
Within the group, I noticed how everyone slowly grew into their roles. I naturally fell into helping with communication and storytelling, both in interviews and in how we explained our project. It taught me a lot about teamwork, compromise, and supporting each other.
Findings
By the end of this project, I realised that designing for elderly users is really about empathy first, technology second. Elderly people don’t just need tools, they need reassurance, respect, and understanding. AI and VR definitely have the potential to reduce loneliness and provide companionship, but only if we design them in a way that feels natural, gentle, and human-centered.
I also learned how important testing and listening are. The feedback about comfort, natural-sounding voices, better conversation flow, and accessibility for different accents showed me that no design is perfect the first time. Real people will always show you what still needs improving, and that’s how meaningful design actually happens.
Most of all, this project changed the
way I think about aging. It reminded me
that the elderly still want to laugh,
talk, share stories, and feel
valued, just like anyone else.
Being able to help with the interviews,
create the AI characters, and put our
final slides together made me feel like
I contributed to something that actually
matters, even in a small way.
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