In a first for the USA, two robots have been deployed in a Minnesota nursing home to support resident care.
The robots, 4ft (1.2m) tall Pepper and 2ft (0.6m) tall NAO, were recently introduced at The Estates of Roseville.
Both robots are developed by SoftBank Robotics and are the result of work from researchers at the University of Minnesota Duluth under Professor Arshia Khan.
Professor Khan’s work focuses on uses of technology to improve care and health informatics. To assist this, the robots are reportedly equipped with their own emotional and physical health.
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The two robots are designed with different purposes in mind. Pepper is supposed to be more social, interacting with the patients and telling jokes, while also offering health advice, such as reminders to eat. NAO, on the other hand, leads the home’s exercise programmes to help keep residents active.
The general aim of the project is to increase the independence of residents with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Other Monarch Healthcare Management care homes are expected to see robots deployed in the future, with Khan claiming that the technology will eventually play a key role in care services.
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“I am extremely excited to be making history with my students by deploying humanoid robots in nursing homes to help care for our elderly,” said Khan.
“This is a major step and the beginning in helping improve the quality of life of elderly and people affected with dementia using humanoid robots.”
