RoboCop? No, it’s RoboCarer
THOUGH this robot may conjure up images of RoboCop or even The Terminator, this cheery chappie in fact works with the elderly and with disabled.
Engineers at Trinity College Dublin say Stevie, a prototype, is the world’s first robot designed to work with the elderly and also disabled people living in assisted care facilities.
It can carry out basic tasks such as playing games and changing TV channels, and even displays a range of facial expressions.
Robotics engineers said Stevie can do routine tasks in nursing homes and care homes such as checking on patients during the night or reminding them to take their medication. Other functions will be controlled by staff.
The team has got funding to bring the prototype to a marketable model via a new start-up firm – so the RoboCarer could be on sale in just four years.
Conor McGinn, assistant professor in mechanical and manufacturing engineering in Trinity, believes the robot is just what understaffed care homes need.
He said: ‘Nursing homes face significant care challenges, especially during the night when caregiver-to-resident ratios are low.
‘Our solution can perform several routine tasks, which will improve efficiency and substantially alleviate pressure on care staff during periods when the facility may be understaffed.’
Though the idea of a robot may conjure up dark sci-fi images, the team at Trinity believe its robot is ‘friendly looking’ with ‘some human-like features’.
It makes sounds, lights up and even uses body language to communicate with those around it.
The robot is also fully mobile and uses cameras and sensors. It even has WiFi and Bluetooth.
Mr McGinn said: ‘The social interaction that is possible with the robot brings many benefits.
‘First, it provides a compelling way to reduce boredom and stimulate mental activity.
‘It can have basic conversations with its users and play a series of simple games, and on a grander level, it can function as a control interface with many different types of technology.
‘For example, through interaction with the robot, residents can control the TV stations, call a loved one, and control lights.’
The Trinity team worked closely with experts and relevant people in the field – including nurses and care-givers, elderly people living in assisted care facilities and Alone, the organisation that supports older people – to make the new robot as practical as possible.
Mr McGinn said the robot was not an attempt to replace human carers with robots – but rather to give carers a much-needed break. He said: ‘The robot is being developed to augment, not replace human care.
‘We have begun working closely with nursing experts and care organisations to develop a solution that empowers both users and care-givers.
‘Through collaboration with organisations like Alone, we have been able to get a better understanding of the challenges people face as they get older and get valuable user feedback on many aspects of the system.’
A pilot scheme using the robot in a care facility is to take place next summer.
The technology is to be trialled in several care facilities in Ireland and the US over the next two years, and the team aims to have the robot ready to go to market by 2021.