KOMPAI: Kompai features a touch-screen display on an easel and a bowling ball–size white head with a "face". The robot is designed to use ultrasonic sensors to detect the location of the person being cared for, and then offer access to Web-based services such as Skype as well as social networks.
Image: © ROBOSOFT
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Mini robot vacuums are one thing, but larger robots may soon become a part of everyday life for the elderly, performing tasks that could help delay the dreaded move of loved ones to a nursing home or assisted living facility. Researchers and robotics companies worldwide are designing prototypes to provide automated assistance to the elderly at home, targeting a market that promises to grow as people live longer.
"Most elders prefer to stay at home, and families prefer that as long as possible," says Karen Robinson, professor and executive director of the Volunteer Caregivers Program at University of Louisville School of Nursing in Kentucky.
The idea is to use robots, resembling anything from lunch carts to human companions, to assist seniors and the homebound with day-to-day tasks as well as communications with family members via social networking, videoconferencing and the Web. For this to work the interface with the robot must be intuitive, and robot-makers must allay any misgivings that the elderly might have about relying on new technology to watch over them.
Kompaï
One of the less threatening approaches so far is called Kompaï, which resembles a plastic kiosk on training wheels. This robot, from France-based Robosoft, features a touch-screen display on an easel and a bowling ball–size white head with a "face". Although the face is in place currently just for emotional comfort, company CEO Vincent Dupourque says future versions will light up and show expressions.
The vision for Kompaï is as follows: Family members would call the robot via Skype. The robot would then use ultrasonic sensors to detect the location of the person being called and navigate to that person, who answers the Skype videoconference call via Kompaï's multitouch tablet PC and Webcam. Kompaï could likewise be used as an interface to Facebook, MySpace or some other social network. Interactive speech recognition would be available to help elderly or otherwise dependent people access the Internet using a simple graphic and tactile interface. (See a video of Robosoft's Kompaï field trials here.)
Kompaï could also store a person's daily schedule and shopping lists, and access online calendars or weather. Robosoft will test the Kompaï this year in hospitals, geriatric centers and homes in France, Hungary and Austria to see how the technology is accepted, Dupourque says. If all goes well, he expects a commercial product within two years.
Several research groups are testing Kompaï, including MOBISERVE, a collaborative effort by nine organizations from seven countries to develop technology to support independent living for the elderly. In addition to Kompaï, MOBISERVE works on optical recognition, wearable health-monitors, and smart home automation and communication. The University of West of England Bristol and Netherlands-based Smart Homes are two organizations within MOBISERVE testing the Kompaï.
Robosoft is looking to partner with companies that make wireless physiological sensors worn by a robot's owner that could communicate blood pressure, pulse, body temperature and other data via Bluetooth to the robot, which would then relay that information to the person's doctor. Dupourque says it is unclear whether such sensors currently exist or would have to be customized to work with the Robosoft unit. Kompaï's software architecture is open source and based on the Microsoft Robotic Developer Studio (MRDS) visual programming environment. "The idea behind it is to make easier customization of the robot's behaviors," Dupourque adds.
CareBot
Conyers, Ga.–based GeckoSystems recently began in-home testing of its CareBot robots designed to help the elderly, says R. Martin Spencer, president and CEO. The latest model is a cross between Darth Vader and a Mrs. Butterworth's syrup bottle (both on wheels).* The CareBot allows seniors to stay in their homes (rather than an assisted-living facility) while reducing isolation by initiating videoconferencing sessions with family members. It also communicates reminders about daily tasks and allows the user to access Web tools on the robot's touch-screen.
*Correction (6/22/10): This article originally attributed this description to GeckoSystems's R. Martin Spencer.
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7 Comments
Add CommentVery interesting article. And the answer to the title's question is... Hopefully yes! :) But we need many more robots out there "in the field" and less in the lab...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNicola Bellotto
http://robots.lincoln.ac.uk/nbellotto.html
I hope that this become a life standard by the time i'm older because I'm positive that I don't want to be left in a home. Robot interactive technology is coming farther and farther everyday. I just saw a great video the other day explain the basics of some of the software that is used to help robots become more and more autonomous. I'll post a link if you'd like to see more.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.ndep.us/A-Flock-of-Robots
Good info here. Definitely am glad they're working on this sort of thing to make our future years easier.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNice idea,but like electric cars, only one in a thousand could afford to buy one.The same persons would more likely hire a nurse.As for the rest of us,it's unlikely that social security would foot the 10,000 dollar or plus bill these robots would cost.Maybe in another 50 years it would be viable solution.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYeah, but that's what everybody said about computers in 1985. Also, it may be a big initial expense. But I think you are missing the point. The purpose is to delay or even postpone your loved one from going to a nursing home. And beleive me, the nursing home expense is a TON more money. So I think this will fly. But it has to be a good robot. The Gecko robot is quite impressive. It move "on it's own" and follows adn finds the individual. The robosoft robot has a cool voice. Anyhow, this will be the next big technology, and it won't be 50 years.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThere is a big difference between robo-help and robo-spying. With any government aid comes spying. Today, you fill out a booklet. Tomorrow, they have the machine vid-scan you in your sleep.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNice. Another form of Control.
I would say that the places that would have more impact on keeping the elderly/disabled independent would to be to test them in buildings that are government funded. Not just retirement homes/communities where the elderly there do have the finances to take care of themselves from family or outside sources. Many of the elderly that live in the government funded buildings end up in nursing homes once they become unable to care for themselves or have no other options.
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