Robin the Robot a Hit with Hospital Kids

Nobody likes being stuck in a hospital, and for children it’s especially traumatic being in a sterile environment, away from friends and family – a lonely and unfun time, really. Luckily, Robin the robot is great company during this time.

The 1.2-metre-tall machine – developed and built by Expper Technologies – is made from recyclable materials and is easily sterilised. It also features a frontal screen that can display a variety of facial expressions for friendlier interactions with patients, which has been the core focus of a research project at the hospital.

The human-controlled robot has been wandering the wards of Mattel Children’s Hospital at the University of California in Los Angeles, making a meaningful difference in the lives of the isolated children recovering from a variety of ailments. Robin has improved their mood, outlook, and general interaction with medical staff.

Dr Justin Wagner, a paediatric surgeon at the medical institution and lead author of the study, said: “As the pandemic continues, our patients are still feeling anxious and vulnerable in a variety of ways, so it’s critical that we be as creative as possible to make their experiences easier when they need our help.”

After nine weeks of observation, the researchers concluded that 90% of patients had positive interactions with Robin, which also led to a 29% enhancement of how they reacted to the world.

The improved mood also affected healthcare workers and visiting family members, marking a positive effect all around and showcasing a much healthier way to help patients recover.

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