Usability Evaluation of a Virtual Assistive Companion

As a result of the great technological advances in the last decades, new solutions are emerging to avoid social isolation and to delay the institutionalization of older adults, as is the case of virtual assistants. This paper presents the usability evaluation of a Virtual Assistive Companion (VAC), the CaMeLi. The usability evaluation was based on a multi-method approach that comprises self-reported usability, usability reported by an evaluator and critical incidents registration. The usability tests were performed with 46 participants with an average age of 64 years. The results showed a good usability and satisfaction level, although usability reported by evaluators and critical incidents registration suggest that some functionalities need to be improved in order to facilitate the VAC interaction and understandability.

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