A new Robot Girl is helping patients in US hospitals. It is programmed to act just like a real 7-year-old. The goal of this Robot is to fight fear and loneliness. Furthermore, the robot also helps with the severe staff shortage. This friendly companion is named Robin the Robot. The girl brings a unique form of support. It provides emotional comfort to those who need it most. The creators are a company called Expper Technologies. They found a unique niche in patient care. This new Robot has a high-pitched voice. It uses a screen for a face with cartoon-like features.
The Robot Girl is making its rounds now. At UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center, a young boy. His name is Luca and he has leukemia. The Robot asked him how he was. It even remembered his name from before. This simple act means a lot to patients. The Robot Girl helps children with scary procedures. A child life specialist showed Luca an IV. Then the Girl played a cartoon of the IV procedure. This helps patients feel less afraid. The Robot Girl is a comforting presence. It provides a sense of normalcy.
The Robot Girl is also helping with staff shortages. Nurses and doctors are overworked. They often lack time for patient engagement. Therefore, this Robot Girl fills an important gap. The robot helps take some pressure off staff. This ultimately improves patient care. The Robot Girl is about 30% autonomous. A team of remote operators controls the rest. They work under the guidance of clinical staff. This ensures the Robot Girl is always safe.
Beyond helping children, the Robot Girl also visits nursing homes. There, it helps people with dementia. The robot plays memory games with them, and it also guides them through breathing exercises. Since the Robot Girl offers such valuable companionship, one woman specifically asked for it during a panic attack. The Robot Girl immediately played her favorite songs and showed her videos of puppies, and she calmed down very quickly.
Furthermore, the Robot brings joy to everyone it meets, and even staff members love it. The Robot Girl walks down the halls, and everyone wants to say hello. It remembers patient names and also their favorite music. A speech pathologist said patients light up around it, and indeed, the Girl brings a sense of fun. Therefore, it is a very welcome new face in health care, making a big difference in people’s lives.
Initially, developers tested the Robot Girl in many places. Then, an investor suggested pediatric hospitals because children often feel lonely and stressed. This was an “aha moment” for them. Consequently, the creators launched a pilot program at the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital in 2020. Since then, the Robot Girl’s personality has evolved based on user responses. The company says its users designed it by providing input that shaped its personality.
Looking ahead, developers have big plans for the Robot. They want it to measure vitals and check on patients’ well-being, information that would be sent to the medical team. They also plan for it to assist with physical tasks. The Robot Girl could help elderly patients with things like changing clothes or even with bathroom trips. However, the ultimate goal is not to replace staff but instead to fill the gaps. Consequently, the Robot will become more and more essential, consistently supporting human caregivers.
Ultimately, a personal story prompted the company to create this robot. The CEO grew up in Armenia in a single-parent household and often felt very lonely. He, therefore, wanted to build a friend, a robot that could be a companion. His vision became a reality. Now, this robot brings comfort to many people and has a real impact on patient wellness. Clearly, the robot is a key part of care and an amazing new tool. This robot is a friend to many, helping hospitals nationwide, and truly represents a technological leap forward.
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