The Vilans Observation Tool for Human-Technology Interaction: A Blended Observation System for Interactions with Socially Assistive Technologies

The increasing development and adoption of gerontechnology, which are assistive technologies designed to support older adults’ independence, well-being, and social connection, underscore the critical need for robust methods to assess their real-world impact. While observational tools are essential for this purpose, existing methods often present a trade-off between efficiency and depth. Rating scales are simple to use but lack the temporal and behavioural granularity needed to analyse interaction processes, while detailed behavioural coding schemes are resource-intensive and inflexible. This paper addresses a significant gap by introducing the Vilans Observation Tool for Human-Technology Interaction (VOTHI) framework, a novel, low-threshold, hybrid observational tool. Developed through a literature analysis of existing instruments, VOTHI combines the structural clarity of rating scales with the temporal sensitivity of coding schemes, organized in a modular structure to adapt to various research contexts and technologies. The framework’s design principles emphasise the holistic capture of interactional dynamics, including verbal, non-verbal, affective, and contextual cues, focusing on the process of interaction rather than just the outcome. Pilot-testing demonstrates VOTHI’s capacity to provide a comprehensive, adaptable, and practical method for researchers to analyse human-technology interactions. The tool serves as a valuable solution for capturing subtle, dynamic, and process-oriented aspects of engagement, particularly in gerontechnological contexts.