ACM CHI 2017 May 6-11, 2017, Denver, CO, USA Poster LBW #467 Involving Older and Vulnerable Persons in the Design Process of an Enhanced Toilet System Peter Mayer & Paul Panek ([email protected], [email protected]) HCI Group, Institute for Design & Assessment of Technology, TU Wien (Vienna Univ. of Technology), Austria

Introduction: Traditional water toilets of sitting It is equipped with sensors for measuring the A typical user interaction between an elderly style as mostly used in the Western countries are actual position of the toilet and the static or person and the iToilet system would be as difficult to use for some older persons or people dynamic load: follows: with a disability. To overcome this, the European • A control unit runs the inferences software, • A user enters the toilet room. The RFID module Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) project iToilet the dialogue manager, and a broker recalls the preferences and the toilet elaborates a concept for an ICT enhanced toilet coordinating the different modules (connected automatically moves to the preferred height system which is able to adapt to individual via WLAN or LAN). and tilt. preferences based on a chair-like construction of • Sensors capture user activities in the • The system may greet the user and inform which the first prototype currently is tested with environment. A 3D depth sensor with analysis about its current status and give instructions. users in laboratory settings. module recognises falls. • Before transferring to the toilet the user may • An ASR module allows speech control use physical buttons or the speech input for Despite the taboo area there is the ambition to alternatively to manual commands via buttons. further adjusting the toilet position for sitting include older users’ day-to-day expertise and the • Buttons (tactile commands): (a) on a remote down. knowledge of care experts into the project as control (via cable) or (b) integrated in armrests. • After having used the toilet the automatic early and deeply as possible. This motivated the • An RFID reader (to identify users in flushing can be triggered via button press or participatory design (PD) sessions described institutions) to automatically recall individual voice command. Optional a bidet (shower WC) below. The outcome of the PD is valuable input user preferences (e.g. height, tilt, language) module for personal hygiene may be for the engineering part, informing and guiding it. and to move the toilet into the preferred integrated. position already when the user is entering the • Despite the various possibilities to pre-select iToilet Architecture: A motorized height and tilt toilet room. and adapt the toilet position in any stage, the adjustable toilet seat forms the base (see Fig. 1). • Interface to care documentation systems: system can also dynamically support sitting storing preferences, visualization of usage down or standing up by automatic change of data. height and tilt. • Output: by synthetic speech, sound or • During the toilet use the dialogue system can graphical devices like smart phones. Provides provide feedback to the user, give instructions information on status, actions and instructions or ask for confirmation. for use. Fig.1: Toilet Base module with two independent motors for adjusting height and tilt of seat.

Fig. 2: Users interacting with paper dispensers, remote controls, different buttons and grip bars. Photos: CS Caritas Socialis.

User involvement: Several Participatory Design led to a concept for a new hand control with clear older and vulnerable users in the design and (PD) sessions with typically 5 to 8 users were big symbols and tactile feedback. development activities could be set up held. Potential users with Multiple sclerosis (MS) successfully. First initial results are promising and and experts together tried different solutions, Theme D: Grip bars (also known as hand rails) will influence directly the technical development. discussed ideas for improvements and alternative The grip bars should be on both sides, foldable, concepts (Fig.2). and usable to carry the remote control. More feedback is expected from lab testing. Early samples of some of the toilet modules were provided to get concrete feedback and to trigger Discussion: The findings from participatory the sharing of thoughts and ideas for potentially design meetings were very rich. The participants new or even totally different approaches. not only outlined and discussed the current problems but developed solutions themselves. Findings from Participatory Design Sessions: E.g. they took up the idea of an automatic Theme A: Paper Holder & Dispenser dispenser device and designed it themselves in a The participants proposed that the paper should way which is now much more tailored to their be made available on both sides and the needs. The developed design proposal of a dispenser might be mounted on the armrests. speech controlled dispenser with a sensitive hand They proposed solutions where the paper is easy over of the toilet paper suitable also for slowly to grab and tear off. moving users is an impressive outcome of the PD activities. Fig.3: Toilet room for upcoming laboratory trials. Theme B: Speech Control Eventually the participants came up with their own In any case the provision of hands-on material In the upcoming months the PD activities will be proposals for a small but sufficient set of (e.g. the automatic paper dispenser) was very continued by involving more users and by commands they think would be easy to re-call for useful for triggering intensive and focused providing additional and/or improved hands-on them. The tested speech recognition system was discussions among participants which eventually material. Currently the first prototype system has found to work fine in a real toilet room but it failed led to a jointly elaborated and useful design been installed for laboratory tests at a to recognize well the voices of users with speech proposal as very concrete result. rehabilitation clinic in Budapest, Hungary, and at a limitations. day care center in Vienna, Austria (Fig.3). Based Generally, the high engagement of the users in on the results a redesigned prototype will be built Theme C: Buttons and remote control the PD groups is also an indicator of the sound and tested in the field. The users liked the hand held control with buttons link which could be established between the which have a clear shape (recognizable just by users’ individual life worlds and the expectations Acknowledgement: touching) and a clear pressure point for feedback. towards the contributions of the iToilet project. iToilet is co-funded by the European AAL Joint Programme (AAL- 2015-1-084) and the National Authorities and R&D programmes in They preferred it compared to the membrane Austria, Hungary, Italy and Slovenia. More: www.itoilet-project.eu keyboard technology which lacks easily Conclusion and Outlook: Despite the taboo- perceivable shapes and pressure points. Also related topic of toileting and related routines of sizes and symbols were commented which has intimacy and personal hygiene the involvement of