James Michels

AARP and its affiliated AARP Innovation Labs launched the AgeTech Collaborative, an ambitious community of early stage start-up companies, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, service providers and industry leaders brought together to spark ideas and spur innovation. The promise is that the collaborative will benefit all of them while ultimately serving the greater good of older consumers they are hoping to impress.​

I led ADF and established a partnership with AARP as a test-bed and… Show more

AARP and its affiliated AARP Innovation Labs launched the AgeTech Collaborative, an ambitious community of early stage start-up companies, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, service providers and industry leaders brought together to spark ideas and spur innovation. The promise is that the collaborative will benefit all of them while ultimately serving the greater good of older consumers they are hoping to impress.​

I led ADF and established a partnership with AARP as a test-bed and early adopter of new innovations and technologies dedicated to serving the older population living at our campus community, Knollwood, in Washington, D.C. We've introduced several new technologies to Knollwood to address the needs of older adults. Show less

AARP Innovation Labs Launches 'AARP Community Connections' Platform To Find Help, Or Give It, During Coronavirus Pandemic. As Vice President of Development and Strategic Operations, I lead our organization to form a partnership with AARP to help people served by our charity.

As an senior executive of the American Veterans Center, reinstituted the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC in 2005 after 70 year hiatus. Under my development and communications leadership, the event grew from an estimated 5,000 people to an event attended by 300,000 people and broadcast to millions nationally on the Reelz Network and internationally on the Pentagon Channel.

It is the nation's largest Memorial Day Parade, attended by members of the Joint Chiefs, our nation's… Show more

As an senior executive of the American Veterans Center, reinstituted the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC in 2005 after 70 year hiatus. Under my development and communications leadership, the event grew from an estimated 5,000 people to an event attended by 300,000 people and broadcast to millions nationally on the Reelz Network and internationally on the Pentagon Channel.

It is the nation's largest Memorial Day Parade, attended by members of the Joint Chiefs, our nation's greatest heroes, foreign dignitaries, corporate leaders, and celebrities of music, televison and film. Show less

As Vice President of Development and Strategic Operations, doctors and graduate students of the University of Dublin, Ireland conducted numerous studies in robotics and senior care. They did this research work at our, Knollwood Retirement Community facility in Washington, D.C. We are a 501c3 not for profit.

A case study was undertaken to explore the potential usefulness of the Ethical Canvas for addressing ethical issues in the design of a HRI experiment. The experiment that was chosen… Show more

As Vice President of Development and Strategic Operations, doctors and graduate students of the University of Dublin, Ireland conducted numerous studies in robotics and senior care. They did this research work at our, Knollwood Retirement Community facility in Washington, D.C. We are a 501c3 not for profit.

A case study was undertaken to explore the potential usefulness of the Ethical Canvas for addressing ethical issues in the design of a HRI experiment. The experiment that was chosen involved a pilot of robot technology at a Continued Care Retirement Community (CCRC) located on the east coast of the US. The specific use-case involved the Stevie robot mediating a group-based game, such as Bingo, with residents housed within the Independent Living (IL) wing of the facility. Group-based game playing is a popular activity in many retirement communities helping to increase cognitive stimulation as well as reduce boredom/loneliness. Prior to the completion of the Ethical Canvas, the researcher had gained a detailed understanding of the facility from a series of need finding exercises including focus groups, interviews and observation sessions with residents and staff. Show less

As Vice President of Development and Strategic Operations, I partnered with doctors and graduate students from the University of Dublin, Ireland to study socially assistive robots in a continuing care environment.

Abstract—Socially assistive robots (SARs) have the potential to improve working conditions of care workers, empower vulnerable people to retain independence, and even provide social companionship. Through a series of focus groups, this study explores how older adults and… Show more

As Vice President of Development and Strategic Operations, I partnered with doctors and graduate students from the University of Dublin, Ireland to study socially assistive robots in a continuing care environment.

Abstract—Socially assistive robots (SARs) have the potential to improve working conditions of care workers, empower vulnerable people to retain independence, and even provide social companionship. Through a series of focus groups, this study explores how older adults and professional care workers in a Continued Care Retirement Community (CCRC) perceived a bespoke SAR platform known as Stevie. Using a mixed-method approach, it emerged that both care staff and residents developed a strong fondness for the robot, perceived it to be useful, and could envision a range of useful applications. Show less

As project leader, my team brought together thought leaders in aging, with special focus on new innovations in older adult care. Robotics, AI, exo-bionics (rehabilitation), and new cognitive therapy programs. Among the partner guests include GE, Trinity College (Dublin), Delos, and Boeing, and AM General.