Scottish provider Blackwood Homes and Care is to trial the use of a remotely-operated robot to give check-ups to care home residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions.
The pilot will use technology pioneered by The National Robotarium at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and uses machine learning and tele-presence robotic technology to allow doctors to remotely assess a person’s physical and cognitive health from anywhere in the world.
Toyota’s Human Support Robot will be used by the researchers alongside commercially available tele-presence robots.
Heriot-Watt University says combining the system with a tele-presence robot brings two major advances.
Firstly, robots can be equipped with powerful sensors and can also operate in a semi-autonomous mode, enriching the capability of the system to deliver quality data, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Secondly, tele-presence robots keep clinicians and carers in the loop. These professionals can benefit from the data provided by the project’s intelligent sensing system, but they can also control the robot directly, over the internet, to interact with the individual under their care.
They can see through the eyes of the robot, move around the room or between rooms and operate its arms and hands to carry out more complex assessment protocols. They can also respond to emergencies and provide assistance when needed.
National Robotarium project lead Dr. Mauro Dragone (pictured) said: “With gaps between assessments lengthening, the care and support that is being prescribed to assist vulnerable people may become unsuitable as an individual’s physical and cognitive abilities change over time.
“Our prototype makes use of machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to monitor smart home sensors to detect and analyse daily activities. We are programming the system to use this information to carry out a thorough, non-intrusive assessment of an older person’s cognitive abilities, as well as their ability to live independently.”
Blackwood Homes and Care, which will use a robot embedded in the company’s care facilities, said robotics have the potential to improve independent living, provide new levels of support and integrate with its digital housing and care system CleverCogs.
“Our partnership with the National Robotarium and the design of the assisted living lab ensures that our customers are involved in the co-design and co-creation of new products and services, increasing our investment in innovation and in the future leading to new solutions that will aid independent living and improve outcomes for our customers,” added Blackwood head of innovation Colin Foskett.
