This tiny robot is helping people with dementia
Meet “Matilda”. She might look like a futuristic kids’ toy, but in reality, she could be the secret to improving the quality of life for thousands of dementia patients. The tiny, adorable “social robot” has been programmed to recognise human voices and facial expressions, dance, play music and call out bingo numbers.
Developed by NEC Japan in conjunction with La Trobe University’s Research Centre for Computers, Communication and Social Innovation, Matilda was put to test among 115 aged care patients between 2010 and 2013 and assessed for her ability to engage with those living with dementia. The Australian trial was an overwhelming success, with just two per cent of users concerned with the robot’s presence.
Not only is Matilda providing dementia sufferers with some much-needed company, but her ability to issue reminders throughout the day, read the day’s news and weather forecast and even make phone calls over Skype is giving patients back some independence.
“The findings of this study indicate there is a statistically significant improvement in emotional, visual, and behavioural engagement of older people with social robots over the years,” lead researcher Professor Rajiv Khosla writes. “The post-trial survey has also verified their acceptance in the interaction with social robots.”
Just under 90 per cent of the patients involved in the trial said they enjoyed seeing Matilda dance, 75 per cent felt relaxed talking to her, and a very promising 88 per cent said the robot made them feel better.
“The results implicate that by socially engaging older people with meaningful activities provided and [mediated] by Matilda, we are able to break technology barriers and encourage acceptance of Matilda amongst the older residents.”
Here’s hoping we see more of this kind of technological innovation in aged care facilities! Tell us in the comments below, are you one of the lucky few who got to witness Matilda interacting with a loved one?
Image: La Trobe