The ‘dementia robot’

. . . but can it REALLY rescue the elderly from loneliness? Or will it mean less human contact?

HE CAN make small-talk about the weather, help you find your keys and prompt reminiscences of family holidays.

And Mario the robot has just one mission in life: to help people suffering from dementia.

The €17,000 device first piloted in by a team of NUI Galway researchers is being tested in the homes of a handful of patients – in the hope that it could revolutionise the way sufferers are cared for.

Mario is designed to help keep his companion’s mind active – and to help stave off the loneliness that is linked to dementia.

But critics have questioned whether a robot can ever be an adequate substitute for genuine human contact.

Launched in February 2015, the €4m Mario project, funded by the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, is being developed by a consortium of academic institutions including a team of researchers at NUI Galway’s School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Now Mario is being tested with people in the early stages of dementia in Ireland, Britain and Italy.

In Manchester, where the UK trial is being carried out, Andy Bleaden – the local official overseeing the pilot scheme – explained that the robot is being developed to engage with people on a deeper level than simply providing information.

He said: ‘We want to bring in a reminiscence tool that uses pictures from family photographs, weddings, holidays.’

Mario is also fitted with a sensor that it can use to find lost personal items such a TV remote control, keys and reading glasses, and it can call for emergency help if needed.

But its main aim is to provide companionship. One study found that elderly people who suffer loneliness have a 64% greater risk of dementia.

The project coordinator, Professor Dympna Casey of NUI Galway, previously said: ‘As a result of engaging with Mario, we believe the loneliness and isolation experienced by many people with dementia will be reduced, and their autonomy and their quality of life improved.’ Mario already offers TV programmes and music through a touchscreen computer on his chest, but the aim is for him to engage in natural conversation. It is hoped that the technology will help with the demand for dementia care. There are about 48,000 people with dementia in Ireland.

But Dr Amanda Sharkey, of Sheffield University’s department of computer science, said the project raised fears over robots replacing human care. She said: ‘The concerns are whether this will result in reduced human contact. Will people spend less time with the person because they think, “Oh, they’re being looked after by the robot”?’

‘People want to talk about the weather’