ROBOTS THAT LOOK LIKE YOU COULD SOON TAKE CARE OF ELDERLY LOVED ONES
Robody, a new robot from Devanthro, uses your face and can even dress like you to perform care duties for elderly relatives when you’re away. The robot can help with tasks such as fetching medication, preparing meals, and even putting coats on.
The robot is controlled remotely by family members using VR kit that allows them to see around and move, and even feel their surroundings with haptic feedback. The device has soft, flexible skin to ensure safe navigation and can even give hugs.
The idea behind Robody is to let older family members keep their independence in their own home while offering support when they need it. The technology can also be used by nurses and doctors to check in with patients without needing to physically be present.
When the bot is not in use, it can detect vital signs and calls for help, triggering an alert to be sent to caretakers and emergency services if needed. Devanthro has been researching and developing the idea for almost ten years.
The robot’s new capabilities include fetching cheese from the fridge, getting a shirt from the closet, and dusting surfaces, as well as playing board games like Rummy and Mühle. The device can also be programmed to perform life-like tasks such as making a cup of tea.
The company claims that Robody’s upgraded hardware and control systems now allow operators to perform fine, two-handed tasks in real-world home environments, overcoming obstacles such as carpets, narrow hallways, and round buttons.