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Development of Serious Games and Physical Activities Instructed by a Social Robot for Improving the Well-being of Elderly Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

Award Information
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: National Institutes of Health
Contract: 1R44AG066439-01
Agency Tracking Number: R44AG066439
Amount: $999,999.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: NIA
Solicitation Number: PAS18-187
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2018
Award Year: 2019
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2019-09-30
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2021-05-31
Small Business Information
8772 TROON VILLAGE PL
Lone Tree, CO 80124-3135
United States
DUNS: 079574892
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 MOHAMMAD MAHOOR
 (720) 201-5694
 mmahoor@dreamfacetech.com
Business Contact
 MOHAMMAD MAHOOR
Phone: (720) 201-5694
Email: mmahoor@dreamfacetech.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

The objective of the proposed direct Phase-II SBIR project is to develop and study and the effectiveness of
Serious Games and physical Activities played/performed by elderly people with Alzheimer’s disease and AD-
related Dementias in interaction with Ryan, our successfully piloted Socially Assistive Robot (SAR). Ryan is an
intelligent conversational life-like social robot, designed to improve the well-being and quality of life of older
adults with AD/ADRD. Ryan uses state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence technology for automated facial
expression recognition, natural language processing, and tracking of human body that are used in
personalization and adaptation of the games and physical activities. According to the Alzheimer’s Association
an estimated 5.7 million Americans have AD and is projected to rise to 13.8 million, as the population ages.
Common symptoms of AD/ADRD include cognitive decline, short-term memory loss, changes in mood,
depression, communication difficulties, lost interest in hobbies or activities, and repetitive behavior. Americans
suffering from AD/ADRD are believed to cost the nation $236 billion annually with projected annual costs of
over $1 trillion by 2050. Traditional methods for disease management have shown limited success treating
AD/ADRD or mitigating its symptoms. Health care personnel and caregivers who are physically and
emotionally taxed are seeking new ways to provide care for elderly individuals and particularly those suffering
from AD/ADRD. Innovative technology such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Internet of Things (IoT)
devices, have begun to alleviate the growing need for novel solutions to the healthcare. Among such
technologies, socially assistive robots such as Ryan have received a great amount of attention in recent years.
While SAR research prototypes exist that can interact with users playing physical cognitive games equipped
with artificial intelligence technology and personalization, to our knowledge, no such cooperative SAR
(prototype or commercial) for electronic gameplay with individuals suffering from dementia exists today. Our
game designs will target “Cognition”, “Memory”, “Spatial Relation”, “Social Relationship”, and “Motor Skills”
abilities of players. We will conduct a pilot study to measure Ryan’s effectiveness in mental and socio-
emotional stimulation of users with mild dementia. This innovative technology stands to produce significant
financial savings and improve the quality of life of individuals living with AD/ADRD, their families, and
caregivers.The goal of the project is to develop serious games and physical activities co-played by a socially assistive
robot companionbot (Ryan) for improving the quality of life of persons with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Americans suffering from AD cost the nation $236 billion annually with projected annual costs of over $1 trillion
by 2050. Successful development of Ryan will improve patient well-being, make caregivers more efficient and
effective, and provide significant financial benefits to the healthcare industry, and assist families and caregivers
who are looking for ways to better assist older adults with AD.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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