Meet IRIS: An Interactive Robotic Experience for Exploring Life Purpose

IRIS, the Interactive Robot for Ikigai Support, is a social robot designed to help older adults explore life purpose and meaningful memories through interactive, reflective conversations. Implemented on LuxAI’s QT humanoid robot, IRIS combines structured prompts with AI-generated follow-ups to support dynamic, personalized dialogue that adapts to individual preferences and cognitive abilities. Co-designed with older adults through a longitudinal panel, IRIS incorporates nuanced emotional responsiveness, including the ability to recognize and engage with bittersweet emotions. For the interactive demo, participants will engage with IRIS in a controlled, immersive setting to encourage contemplation of meaning, impermanence, and personal purpose. This work highlights the potential of socially aware robots to empower older adults, support emotional well-being, and foster personal reflection, demonstrating how human–robot interaction can contribute to societal enrichment.