Critical reflections from a transdisciplinary team on deploying an AI-enabled robot in long-term care

AIM: This study presents our reflections as student researchers working within a transdisciplinary, intergenerational team that implemented Aether, an AI-enabled care robot, in a long-term care (LTC) facility for older adults. We examine our roles and contributions to the project's transdisciplinary and intergenerational research process. BACKGROUND: Transdisciplinary and intergenerational collaboration have been proven beneficial for implementing AI-driven technologies in LTC. Few studies have explored students' roles in transdisciplinary or intergenerational collaboration and their opportunities for mutual learning experiences and ethically grounded innovations. DESIGN: This critical reflection paper is part of a larger study examining the deployment of Aether. Our research design focuses on capturing our experiences as a team of student researchers through reflective inquiry, emphasizing our role in the implementation and deployment process. METHODS: Reflections were gathered through individual and group sessions using Rolfe's (2001) Critical Reflection Framework. Reflexive thematic analysis, combining inductive and deductive coding, was used to identify key themes from our experiences. RESULTS: Three reflexive themes emerged: (1) The transformative role of transdisciplinary collaboration in addressing real-world challenges; (2) The importance of intergenerational collaboration with industry; and (3) The value of field-based experience in bridging theory and practice. CONCLUSIONS: This study proposes a framework of practical tips, "SHINE," to support future technology implementations in LTC through intergenerational and transdisciplinary collaboration. This framework highlights the value of student engagement in hands-on, collaborative research settings and encourages future research to focus on the critical role of student engagement in complex care environments.