A robot called Robert is reminding Vera to take her medication, do her washing and even helping with knitting tips at a London care home.
Robert is one of a growing number of robots being used to provide company and medical assistance in care homes. Supporters say they cut costs and free up staff, but questions remain about how far that support can go.
Pinar Elmaz, Vera’s carer, said the robots made by tech healthcare company Cera were not replacing human carers but adding to their work.
“They are another tool for us as well because we can always check in on them… make sure they’ve taken their medication and then make sure they’ve hydrated,” she said.
Hazelhurst Court has 24 residents with robots. Each one contains that resident’s medical needs and individual calendar, and is programmed to tell users when it is time to eat, play bingo or watch their favourite television show.
Some residents say the robots make them feel less lonely. Others say they use them to connect with their grandchildren.
During the visit, Robert was described as friendly, repeatedly asking Vera how she was and reassuring her: “I’ll be here if you need me”.
“What would you enjoy chatting about today?” it asked.
But the robot also made mistakes when Vera wanted to talk about knitting, often mishearing essential words and offering conversations on “biscuits and cakes” and “music, television, the garden or something else”.
Tech expert James Erskine said the limits of the technology needed to be kept in mind.
“If a job can be followed to the letter like an instruction, a robot or computer can probably do it. If it needs problem-solving, judgement or emotional understanding, it needs a human,” he said.
“AI is already helping surgeons during brain tumour operations, and driverless taxis being trialled on London’s roads.
“In care, robots could be brilliant at monitoring health, vital signs, medication reminders, spotting falls. But can they really read someone’s mental state, their happiness, their overall wellbeing?
“That depends on human connection, noticing the small things, knowing the person. So it’s support, not substitute.
“The best outcome is tech taking on the routine tasks so carers have more time for the human side of care.”
Cera said at least 1,000 people across England are using the robots.
The company’s founder and chief executive, Dr Ben Maruthappu, a former A&E doctor in London, said his own family’s experience of social care pushed him to look for a technology-based answer.
“My mother had a fall and fractured her back and needed care at home so I needed to try and organise that care,” he said.
“What I thought would be a really simple process was actually excruciatingly difficult.
“I called lots of different home care agencies. We had this revolving door of carers looking after my mum, and I didn’t even know their name, let alone how the care was going.
“How is it in this day and age, when I can get books and groceries delivered to my door at the click of a button, I have no idea the care my mum is receiving which is so much more important?”
He said he was motivated to build a better model of care where “technology addressed some of the issues and frictions in the care sector”.
Cera now has 13,500 staff and almost £500 million in annual revenue, and says it is Europe’s largest health tech firm.
The company claims its AI tools reduce hospital admissions by up to 70 percent and its robots boost care teams’ capacity by 20 percent and productivity by up to 80 percent.
Read more from BBC News.
