Spring 2026 Public Lecture: Exploring Human-Robot Interactions for Older Adults
Apr 29 @ 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Free
The Center for Vital Longevity is proud to announce Wendy Rogers, PhD from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, as this year’s guest speaker at the annual Spring Public Lecture.
Registration is FREE but required to reserve your spot.
Complimentary parking will be available. Parking passes will be available on site and e-mailed prior to the event. Please ensure they are displayed on your windshield.
About the lecture:
Robots are being developed to support activities and enhance abilities of older adults in their homes and communities. If these robots are to be effectively integrated into these contexts, their design must be informed by fundamental knowledge of human abilities, preferences, limitations, and experiences. Our research is focused on guiding robot design to support the needs and preferences of older adults. I will present a human-robot interaction framework based on user-centered and universal design principles that encompasses four primary dimensions relevant to design: the human, the robot, the interaction, and the environment. I will share examples of our research with assistive and social robots to support older adults with varying levels of cognitive and physical abilities and limitations. Robots have the potential to improve quality of life for older adults – our research is striving to make that potential a reality.
Robots are being developed to support activities and enhance abilities of older adults in their homes and communities. If these robots are to be effectively integrated into these contexts, their design must be informed by fundamental knowledge of human abilities, preferences, limitations, and experiences. Our research is focused on guiding robot design to support the needs and preferences of older adults. I will present a human-robot interaction framework based on user-centered and universal design principles that encompasses four primary dimensions relevant to design: the human, the robot, the interaction, and the environment. I will share examples of our research with assistive and social robots to support older adults with varying levels of cognitive and physical abilities and limitations. Robots have the potential to improve quality of life for older adults – our research is striving to make that potential a reality.
The annual Spring Lecture is hosted in partnership with the Texas Instruments Alumni Association and made possible by the Jean & Bill Booziotis Distinguished Lecture funds.
About the speaker:
Wendy Rogers, PhD, is Khan Professor of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is a Certified Human Factors Professional (BCPE #1539). She is Director of the McKechnie Family LIFE Home; Program Director of CHART (Collaborations in Health, Aging, Research, & Technology); and Director of the Human Factors and Aging Laboratory. Her research focuses on advanced technology design to support autonomy of older adults, with and without disabilities. She explores the benefits of technologies including robots, smart-home technology, digital health, wearables, and telehealth for cognitive, physical, and emotional health.
Wendy Rogers, PhD, is Khan Professor of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is a Certified Human Factors Professional (BCPE #1539). She is Director of the McKechnie Family LIFE Home; Program Director of CHART (Collaborations in Health, Aging, Research, & Technology); and Director of the Human Factors and Aging Laboratory. Her research focuses on advanced technology design to support autonomy of older adults, with and without disabilities. She explores the benefits of technologies including robots, smart-home technology, digital health, wearables, and telehealth for cognitive, physical, and emotional health.
