Beck Vass reports on the introduction of ‘Charlie’, a robotic caregiver, at an Auckland retirement village.
An excerpt: (read in full here)
“It is hoped that Charlie will soon have other robots to help him assist elderly residents by recording their blood pressure, reminding them to take medication and helping them get assistance if they fall.
“Eventually, when the robotic technology has been developed further, it is hoped Charlie will be able to pick up heavy objects or people, lock the house and even tell caregivers where a resident is – something that is useful for dementia patients with a tendency to wander.
“The prototype robot was created as part of a three-year joint project between the University of Auckland and Korea’s Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, which received a $1.8 million grant from the Government.”