Researchers create robot to help elderly people live independently

With the aim to help out elderly people, especially those suffering with diseases like dementia, researchers have created a new robot that can help them live independently in their homes.

A team from Washington State University (WSU) has developed a robot for seniors that can figure out where its user is, then goes up to them and offers its assistance when required.

WSU’s Robot Activity Support system (RAS) consists of a mobile wheeled robot that functions within a previously-designed ‘smart’ apartment. By wirelessly accessing a network of sensors within the house, the robot can determine where the resident is, what they’re doing, and if they need any help.

“RAS combines the convenience of a mobile robot with the activity detection technology of a WSU smart home to provide assistance in the moment, as the need for help is detected,” said researcher Bryan Minor.

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If the robot senses the resident requires assistance, it will make its way through the home to get to the person with the help of its mapping and navigation camera in order to avoid any obstacles. As soon as the robot will reach them, it then uses a tablet interface to offer one of the three things – show a video illustrating how to perform the next step in the task at hand, show a video of the entire task, or lead them to objects necessary to fulfill the task, explained New Atlas.

During tests, the robot was able to help 26 students complete three tasks within the apartment. The tasks included taking a dog out for a walk, taking medication with food and water, and watering plants. If the students faced difficulty, the apartment’s sensor system would detect the issue and respond by calling the robot to their location.

As their next step, the researchers are planning to get senior volunteers to access the system, according to the study published in the journal Cognitive Systems Research.

“Upwards of 90% of older adults prefer to age in place as opposed to moving into a nursing home,” said lead scientist Diane Cook. “We want to make it so that instead of bringing in a caregiver or sending these people to a nursing home, we can use technology to help them live independently on their own.”