Voice-Activated Digital Assistants to Support Health and Independence: Development and Instructional Support

Voice-Activated Digital Assistants to Support Health and Independence: Development and Instructional Support

Principal Investigators

Wendy Rogers, Ph.D.

R. S. Sreenivas, Ph.D.

Team Members: Emma Lachs, B.S., Travis Kadylak, Ph.D., Jaewon Kang, Ph.D., Lyndsie Koon, Ph.D., & Kenneth Blocker, Ph.D.

Partners: OSF Healthcare; Post-Polio Health International; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; Clark-Lindsey Village; Disability Resources and Education Services (DRES); CRIS Health Aging; University of Chicago; National Opinion Research Center (NORC)

Individuals with long-term mobility disabilities are likely to experience challenges with activities at home, such as controlling their home environment, engaging in physical activity, interacting with others, and managing their health. Voice-activated digital assistants, such as Amazon Alexa devices, have great potential to support this population in carrying out these activities as independently as possible through simple voice commands. Alexa could be paired with various smart home technologies, such as robotic vacuums and smart light bulbs, to help people with limited mobility complete activities at home more independently.

In this project, we developed a suite of voice-activated digital assistant applications to support the health and independence of people aging with mobility disabilities. We also developed comprehensive support materials with clear step-by-step instructions to help older adults overcome potential technical challenges with the setup and use of these devices.

Older woman seated at table with laptop and smart speaker:

Amazon Echo User Guides

We developed a series of user guides with step-by-step instructions for use the Amazon Echo. 

  • Basic Uses: This user guide provides a useful and easy-to-use tool to help you learn how to use your Amazon Echo device to its full potential. It features relevant resources and information that can help you learn common voice commands, customize settings, and resolve potential problems. 
  • Setting Up: This user guide provides step-by-step, visual instructions to help you successfully set up your Amazon Echo device so it can be properly used to perform the actions or tasks that you want to do. Learn about the various Amazon Echo products, how to set up your Alexa account, and more, so you can gain the most benefits from these smart and connected technologies. 
  • Social Communication: This user guide provides information and instructions related to how you can use your Amazon Echo to stay in-touch with friends, family, and the community using the built-in social features of the device. Learn about how to add contacts, make calls, and ‘drop-in’ on other connected Echo devices. (User guide for Android mobile devices)
  • Environmental Control: This user guide, originally developed for use in our field trial, describes the setup and basic uses of two common environmental control technologies used with the Amazon Echo: a smart light bulb (Philips Hue) and smart plug (Amazon smart plug). Learn about how to get them connected, what they can do, and how you can use them with your Echo to control your home environment and other non-smart technologies. (User guide for Android mobile devices)
  • Health Applications: This user guide provides instruction on how you can use your Amazon Echo device to assist you with tracking and understanding your health. It introduces some applications that have been created for the device, which help you simplify and remember to do certain health-related tasks. Learn how to use a small sampling of some of these health-related applications that you might find useful for managing your health as you age. (User guide for Android mobile devices)

Amazon Echo Uses Videos

In partnership with Collaborations in Health, Aging, Research, and Technology (CHART) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, we developed the Amazon Echo Basic Uses video playlist on YouTube. These videos include guidance on helpful voice controls for weather, new, reminders, and more.

  • Using Your Voice with Amazon Echo: Reminders 

Select Publications

  • Kadylak, T., Blocker, K. A., Kovac, C. E., & Rogers, W. A. (2022). Understanding the Potential of Digital Home Assistant Devices for Older Adults through their Initial Perceptions and Attitudes. Gerontechnology, 21(1), 1-10.
  • Blocker, K. A., Kadylak, T., Koon, L. M., Kovac, C. E., & Rogers, W. A. (2020). Digital home assistants and aging: Initial perspectives from novice older adult users. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting. SAGE Publications. Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1071181320641327 
  • Koon, L. M., McGlynn, S. A., Blocker, K. A., & Rogers, W. A. (2019). Perceptions of Digital Assistants From Early Adopters Aged 55+. Ergonomics in Design, 1064804619842501.

Project Alumni

  • Leonardo Galoso, B.S.
  • Saahithya Gowrishankar, B.A
  • Husna Hussaini, B.S.
  • Roshanak Khaleghi, Ph.D.
  • Cristopher Kovac, B.S.
  • Ki Lim, B.S.
  • Maya Malecki
  • Vikram Ramavarapu, B.S.
  • Sathvika Veeravalli
  • Kacie Vlach
  • Kyre Williams, B.S.
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