WORCESTER, Mass. — It received’t take the place of people. It’s not an alternative choice to the consolation of a remedy canine. But UMass Memorial Health’s Children’s Medical Center has excessive hopes for its latest workers member: Robin the Robot.

“Robin is an interactive robot that provides education, mindfulness and tools for games and fun and music,” mentioned Kendra Frederick, Manager of the hospital’s Child Life Program. “My hope for Robin is to continue to create a fun and welcoming environment in pediatrics.”

“Fun” will not be the primary phrase many children probably affiliate with admission to the pediatric unit — and the workers is aware of that.

“When kids are here they are nervous,” Frederick mentioned. “They are anxious about what’s going to happen. There’s a lot of new faces, there’s a lot of equipment.”

To be certain, Robin the Robot isn’t just one other piece of hospital gear.

Time Magazine named the Armenian-developed robotic as one in every of its “Best Inventions of 2021″ — citing its ability to calm children in hospitals and clinics. After catching wind of that citation, UMass Memorial began planning to bring Robin to the hospital. It was finally made possible by the institution’s innovation fund.

“Robin will be here for at least a year,” Frederick mentioned. “We hope longer.”

Robin is outfitted with software program that anticipates frequent child questions however, not like some units, which require a continuing name-prompt (as in ‘Alexa’), the robotic’s facial recognition function permits Robin to recollect names — albeit for a short while. Still, this enables for real, although easy, interactions with children.

“It doesn’t replace contact,” Frederick mentioned. “But it’s a tool we can use for small periods of time.”

And whereas Robin might ease loneliness and alleviate fears — some analysis suggests deeper advantages are attainable.

“Initial research for Robin the Robot actually showed decreased admission times and increased compliance in a medical setting for things like getting out of bed and taking a medication,” Frederick mentioned.

In different phrases, Robin may really improve therapeutic.

Robin involves UMass at a time when isolation in hospital settings is extra frequent — due to contagious pathogens, comparable to COVID-19. The Worcester hospital is just the third kids’s healthcare facility to accumulate a Robin within the U.S. — and the primary on the east coast.

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