Challenges of Integrating Assistive Technologies and Robots with Embodied Intelligence in the Homes of Older People Living with Frailty  
[PERSON]  
1 School of Computing and Digital Technologies, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1 WB, UK; 1  
addressing the challenges associated with ageing becomes paramount for ensuring the well-being and independence of older adults. One significant aspect of ageing is the phenomenon of frailty, where various faculties tend to deteriorate, impacting overall health and resilience [2; 3]. Frailty is a multifaceted and dynamic condition marked by declines in reserve and function across various physiological systems, making it difficult to cope with both every day and acute stressors [4]. Frailty significantly impacts daily life by increasing vulnerability to various health issues such as hospitalisation, infections, disability, and falls, leading to a reduced quality of life due to physical and cognitive decline. It also results in higher healthcare costs and can cause loneliness, further exacerbating the condition by contributing to issues such as a more sedentary lifestyle [5] and persistent loneliness [6; 7]. Overall, frailty diminishes functional capacity and independence, making everyday tasks more challenging for those affected [8]. Pre-frailty refers to a state where individuals show one or two signs of physical decline, such as unintentional weight loss or reduced muscle strength, but are not yet fully classified as frail due to the absence of additional deficits [9]. Unlike frailty, which is characterised by multiple accumulated losses in physical function and often leads to significant disability or even death, pre-frailty represents an earlier stage where interventions may be more effective at slowing down or reversing further deterioration. While pre-frail individuals are still generally able to perform daily activities independently, they face a higher risk of becoming frail if no preventative measures are taken. This makes it crucial for public health campaigns and early intervention strategies to target this phase, as it offers an opportunity to improve outcomes before the condition progresses further [10]. The prevalence of pre-frailty is substantial within the older adult population, generally ranging from 35% to 50% among community-dwelling individuals aged 65 or older [10]. In Germany, a systematic review found the pooled prevalence of pre-frailty to be 40.2% (95% CI: 28.3% to 52.1%), a prevalence that increased with age [11]. Notably, among older caregivers of older adults, the prevalence of pre-frailty was found to be as high as 58.8% [12]. Working with individuals living with pre-frailty is critical because it offers a significant opportunity for timely interventions that can improve health outcomes, reduce hospitalisations, and potentially delay or even reverse progression to full frailty and disability. Frailty not only poses challenges to individual health but also places stress on care systems, conflicting with the prevailing desire of older adults to live independently for as long as possible [13]. Recognising the implications of frailty on independent living, this paper explores the intersection of frailty mitigation and the potential of smart and assistive living environments in supporting well-being. By leveraging smart home and assistive technologies, a unified framework can be established to align resident needs with connected, intelligent systems within the home, as both a physical and lived environment [14], thereby supporting greater independence and enhancing overall well-being [15]. The accessibility of technology plays a significant role in enhancing the quality of life for older adults. This is evident through the application of various technologies, including humanoid robots, mental stimulation robots, virtual reality, wearable bladder scanners, and smart health video consultations.