Social robots used in European hospital trial

The SPRING (Socially Assistive Robots in Gerontological healthcare) trial, co-conducted by researchers from the UK’s National Robotarium, has developed robots equipped with advanced artificial intelligence.

The robots successfully enabled natural conversations, understood patient needs, and assisted hospital staff with routine tasks across three waves of experiments with elderly volunteers at Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris.

Specifically, the robots were able to smoothly engage in social interactions like greeting patients, answering questions, and providing directions, according to research results. Critically, robots are quickly demonstrating an ability to comprehend multi-party conversations, following dialogue between several individuals simultaneously.

The researchers said that by undertaking simple but repetitive duties, robots also reduced potential physical contact between clinicians and patients, with early feedback suggesting the use of socially assistive robots may lower infection transmission risk while boosting productivity of nurses and doctors.

In a statement, Oliver Lemon, professor of AI and academic co-lead at the National Robotarium, said: “Today's rapid advances in AI are truly inspiring and open up a world of possibilities for its positive impact on various sectors, including healthcare.